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THE
HOLY BIBLE,
CONTAINING
THE OLD AND NEW COVENANT,
COMMONLY CALLED
THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT:
TRANSLATED
FROM THE GREEK.
BY CHARLES THOMSON,
Late Secretary to the Congress of the United States.
FHILADELPHIA .•
PRINTED BY JANE AITKEN, No. 71,
NORTH THIRD STREET.
1808,
DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, το wit :
Hi:**####4(: BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twelfth day of September,
% * i*^ the thirty third year of the Independence of the United States of
I SEAL. ^ America, A. D. 1808. Charles Thomson and Ebenezer Hazard, of the
#**###*# ^^l^ District, have deposited in this Office, the Title of a Book, the
Right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit:
"The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Covenant, commonly called the
"Old and New Testament: translated from the Greek, By Charles Thomson, late
"Secretary to the Congress of the United States."
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, Intituled, "An
Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and
Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein men-
tioned." And also to the Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled,
" An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts,
and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein
mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of designing, engraving,
ami etching historical and other prints."
D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the
District of Pennsylvania.
THE
OLD COFEJVAJVT,
COMMONLY CALLED
THE OLD TESTAMENT:
TRANSLATED FROM
THE SEPTUAGINT,
By CHARLES THOMSON,
Late Secretary to the Congress of the United States»
VOL. m.
PHILADELPHIA ;
PRINTED BY JANE AITKEN, No. 71,
KORTH THIRD STREET.
1808.
Ch. I. THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON.
I. THE Proverbs of David^s son Solomon, who reigjted
over Israel, to give a knowledge of wisdom and instruction —
the perception of the words of prudence — the inteipretation
of sentences — a discernment of true justice ; and to direct
Judgment^ that he might give sagacity to the innocent ; and
to the youth knowledge and discretion : for by attending to
them a wise man will becojne wiser ; and a man of under-
standing will possess a rule of government and will under-
stand a proverb and dark speech and the sayings of the wise
and parables.
7 The fear pf the Lord is the beginninp^ of wisdom. And all
who practise this have good understanding. And piety towards
God is the beginning of discernment : but the wicked despise
wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father and reject not
9 the maxims of thy mother : for thou wilt receive a graceful
crown for thy head; and a chain of gold for thy neck.
10 My son, let not wicked men lead thee astray. Consent not
11 when they advise thee, saying, Come with us; partake of blood;
and let us hide in the earth an innocent man without cause,
12 and swallow him up alive, as the grave, and take away from
earth the remembrance of him. Let us seize his precious sub-
stance and fill our houses with spoils. Cast in thy lot among
us, and let us all have a common purse. Let one scrip serve us.
15 Go not thou in the way with them; but turn thy foot from their
paths. For nets are not spread for birds unjustly. For they who
are accomplices to murder, treasure up evils for themselves.
And doleful is the destruction of wicked men. Such are the
ways of all who commit iniquitous deeds. For by wickedness
they destroy their own soul.
20 Wisdom uttereth her song at the gates and in the streets
speaketh boldly; and on the tops of walls she maketh procla-
mation; and at the gates of mighty men taketh a seat and at the
gates of a city with confidence saith,
22 *' While the innocent adhere to justice they shall not be put
to shame : but as for fools who delight in mischief, having
become wicked they hated knowledge and are become liable
to censures. Behold I will pour forth to you the dictate of my
spirit: and teach you this word of mine — seeing I have called
VOL. III. A
Ch. II. PROVERBS.
and you have not answered : and though I contniued my
speech, you did not attend : but set at naught my counsels and
26 disregarded my reproofs : therefore I will laugh at your calam-
27 ity; and mock when your destruction cometh. Yes, when tu-
mult shall suddenly come upon you; and destruction like a
whirlwind shall be at hand — even when tribulation and siege
approach you; or when destruction is advancing upon you.
28 For when you call upon me I will not listen to you. The wick-
29 ed may seek me, but they shall not find me. For they hated
30 wisdom and did not chuse the word of the Lord : nor would
31 they attend to my counsels, but contemned my reproofs : Let
them eat, therefore, the fruits of their own way; and be filled
32 with their own iniquity. For, because they wronged infants
they shall be slain : and a rigorous inquest shall destroy the
33 wicked. But he who hearkeneth to me shall dwell with hope;
and rest secure from all evil."
ΪΙ. My son, if thou wilt receive the dictate which I enjoin
and hide it with thee, thine ear ΛνϋΙ hearken to wisdom; and
thou wilt apply thy heart to understanding, and transmit it for
3 instruction to thy son. For if thou wilt call upon wisdom :
and utter thy voice for understanding — if thou wilt seek for it
5 as silver; and search for it as for treasures ; then thou shalt
understand the fear of the Lord; and find the knowledge of
6 God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; and from his presence is
knowledge and understanding : and he treasureth up salva-
7 tion for the upright. He will protect their going, that they may
8 keep the paths of rectitude. And he will guard the way of
9 them who reverence him. Then thou shalt understand judg-
10 ment and justice; and direct all thy wheels right. For when
wisdorii entereth into thine understanding : and knowledge ap-
1 1 peareth pleasant to thy soul : good counsel will keep thee, and
12 holy prudence will guard thee : that she may deliver thee from
an evil way and from a man who speaketh perversely.
13 Alas for them who leave straight paths to walk in the Avays
14 of darkness; who are delighted with evils and have joy in evil
15 perversion; whose ways are crooked, and whose paths turn
16 aside to lead thee far from the straight road and estrange thee
from a just determination.
1 7 My son, let not evil counsel^ who hath forsaken the disci-
Ch. III. PROVERBS.
pline of youth and hath forgotten the divine covenant, take
18 hold of thee. For she hath placed her house near death; and
her wheels with the earth born near the mansion of the
19 dead. None who walk by her direction can ever return; nor
20 ever recover the right paths. For they are not taken hold of
by years of life. If they indeed had Λvalked in good ways :
21 they would have found the paths of justice smooth. Because
the upright shall inhabit the land; and the holy shall be left in
22 it ; the ways of the wicked shall be destroyed from the land;
and the transgressors shall be driven out of it.
Ill, My son, forget not my laws; but let thy heart keep my
commandments. For they will add to thee length of days and
years of life and peace.
2 Let not acts of kindness and faithfulness forsake thee : but
4 bind them about thy neck and thou shalt find favour. Be pro-
vident in regard to things good in the sight of the Lord and
•5 of men. Trust in God with thy whole heart; and be not elated
6 for thine own wisdom. Shew it in all thy ways, that it may make
7 thy paths straight. Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear
8 God and depart from all evil : then shall thy body have health
9 and thy bones a cure. Honour the Lord with some of thy
righteous labours : and set apait for him some of thy fruits of
10 righteousness : that thy barns may be plenteously filled with
corn; and that thy vats may overflow with wine.
11 My son, slight not the correction of the Lord; nor faint
12 \vhen reproved by him : for whom the Lord loveth he reprov-
eth : and chastiseth every son whom he receiveth.
13 Happy the man, who hath found wisdom : and the mortal
14 Avho hath seen prudence : for it is better to traifick for her,
15 than for treasures of gold and silver. She is more precious
than costly stones : and nothing evil can be compared to her.
She is easily known by all who approach her; but no price is
16 equal to her in value. For length of days and years of life are
in her right hand; and in her left, riches and glory. Out of her
mouth proceedeth righteousness : and on her tongue she car-'
17 rieth law and mercy. Her ways are ways of pleasantness and
18 all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to all who take
hold of her; and safe for them who rely on her, as on the Lord.
19 By wisdom God founded the earth; and by understanding he
Ch. IV. PROVERBS.
20 furnished the heavens. By knowledge the deeps were broken
up and the clouds distilled dew.
21 My son, be not wanting in retention : but keep my counsel,
22 namely, the sentiment : that thy soul may live and that grace
may be around thy neck : and it will be health to thy flesh and
23 a cure for thy bones'; that thou mayst proceed on in all thy
ways in peace and security; and that thy foot may not stumble.
24 For when thou liest down, thou shalt be free from fear : and
25 when thou sleepest, thou shalt sleep sweetly; and shalt not fear
the bursting in of terror; nor the sudden assaults of wicked
26 men. For the Lord will be over all thy ways, and will support
thy foot that thou mayst not be shaken.
27 Delay not to do good to the needy, when it is in the power
28 of thy hand to help. Do not say. Go away and come again : to-
morrow 1 will give; when thou hast it in thy power to do
good: for thou knowest not what to-morrow will bring forth.
29 Devise not evils against thy friend; who sojourneth with
thee and confideth in thee.
30 Be not at enmity with a man without cause; lest he do thee
some mischief.
31 Acquire not the reproaches of bad men, nor be fond of
32 their ways. For every transgressor is impure in the sight of
the Lord : and among the righteous he taketh not a seat.
33 The curse of God is in the houses of the wicked : but the
34 folds of the righteous are blessed. The Lord resisteth the proud;
35 but he granteth favour to the humble. The wise shall inherit
glory; but the wicked have extolled dishonour.
IV. Hear, Ο children, the instructions of a father; and attend
2 to know the meaning : for I am giving you a good gift; forsake
3 not my law : for I was a son obedient to a father; and beloved
4 in the sight of a mother : and they said when they taught me,
*' Let our words sink deep in thy heart. Keep our com-
5 mandments; do not forget — overlook not the dictate of my
6 mouth : forsake it not, and it will defend thee : love it and it
8 will preserve thee : secure it and it will exalt thee : honour it
9 that it may embrace thee : that it may be to thy head a crown
of graces and cover thee with a crown of pleasure."
10 Hear my son and receive my words; that, when the years
of thy life shall be multiplied, thou mayst have many ways of
Ch. V. PROVERBS.
11 a livelihood: for lam teaching thee ways of wisdom; and
12 confirming thee in right paths. For when thou goest, thy steps
will not be straitened : and Avhen thou runnest thou shalt not
13 be tired. Take fast hold of mine instruction, let it not go : but
14 keep it for thyself during thy life. Go not in the ways of wick-
15 ed men; nor be fond of the ways of transgressors. In what
place soever they encamp, go not thither : but turn away from
16 them and keep at a distance : for they cannot sleep. Unless
they do evil; their sleep is taken from them and they cannot
17 lie down to rest. For they eat the bread of wickedness; and
drink plentifully of the wine of violence. But the paths of the
just shine like light; shining more and more until it is perfect
19 day. But the ways of the wicked being dark; they know not
at what they stumble.
20 Attend, my son, to my speech, and incline thine ear to my
21 words. That thy fountains may not fail thee, keep them in thj'•
22 lieart ; for they are life to them who find them and health to all
23 fiesh. Guard thy heart with all diligence ; for out of these are
24 the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and
25 put perverse lips far from thee. Let thine eyes look straight
26 forward and thine eyelids wink justly. Make straight paths
27 with thy feet and order all thy ways right. Turn not to the
right, nor the left ; but turn away thy foot from an evil way ;
for God knoweth the ways on the right, but those on the left
are crooked. But he will make thy paths straight and conduct
thy steps in peace.
V. My son, attend to my wisdom, and incline thine ear to my
2 words, that thou mayst keep a good understanding. Now the
sense of my lips giveth thee this injunction — listen not to an
3 abandoned woman ; for honey droppeth from the lips of a har-
4 lot, which for a while pleaseth thy palate ; but in the end thou
wilt find it bitterer than gall, and sharper than a two edged
5 sword. For the feet of folly lead them, who indulge themselves
6 Avith her, down with death to the mansion of the dead. Her
steps indeed are not established, for she walketh not in the
7 Λvays of life. Her paths are slippery and not easily known. Now
8 therefore, my son, hearken to me and slight not my words. Re-
move thy way far from her, go not near the doors of her house;
9 That thou mayst not give thy life to others, and thy substance
Ch. VI. PROVERBS.
10 to the cruel : that strangers may not be filled with thy wealth,
11 and thy labours go into the houses of strangers, and thou at
last be grieved. When the flesh of thy body is consumed, then
12 thou wilt say, "How have I hated instruction, and my heart
13 despised reproof ! I hearkened not to the voice of him λνΐιο in-
14 structed me and taught me; nor have I inclined mine ear. 1
have been almost in all evil, in the midst of the assembly and
congregation."
15 Drink water from thine own vessels, and from the Avells of
16 thine own fountain. Let not the waters from thy fountain over-
17 flow for thee; but let thy waters run in thine own streets. Let them
18 be for thyself only, and let no stranger partake with thee. Let thy
fountain of water be appropriate to thyself; and rejoice Avith
19 the wife of thy youth. Let thy loving hind and graceful fawn
converse with thee ; and let her be accounted peculiarly thine,
and be with thee on all occasions. For ravished with her love
20 thou wilt become a numerous family. Be not devoted to a
strange woman, nor embraced in the arms of one not thine own.
21 For the ways of a husband are before the eyes of God, and he
22 examineth narrowly all his paths. Iniquities hunt a man ; but
23 every one is caught by the cords of his own sins. Such a one
dieth with the uninstructed, but from his plentiful means of liv-
ing he was cast out, and perished by reason of folly.
VI. My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou wilt
2 deliver up thy hand to an enemy. For a man's own lips are a
powerful snare, and he is caught by the words of his own mouth.
3 Do, my son, what I enjoin thee, and save thyself; for thou art
come into the hands of bad men on thy friend's account. Be
not remiss, but importune thy friend for whom thou art surety.
4 Give no sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, that
thou mayst be saved like a roe from a toil, and like a bird from
a snare.
6 Goto the ant y thou sluggard; and having seen its ways
7 follow the example and be wiser than it. For having no culti-
8 vated field, no driver, nor master, it provideth its food in sum-
mer, and layeth up a plentiful supply in harvest. Or go to the
/>ee and learn what a worker she is : and how seriously she per-
formeth her work, to the labours of which both kings and sub-
jects apply themselves as far as health permits ; and to all it is
Ch. VI. PROVERBS.
agreeable and honourable. And though her strength be small,
9 having honoured wisdom she is diligently employed. How long
wilt thou sleep, Ο sluggard, and when wilt thou rouse from
10 sleep ? Thou art sleeping a little — but resting a little — but tak-
ing a short nap — but folding thy hands a little while on thy
1 1 breast ! But is not poverty coming upon thee like an unwel-
come traveller ? And want like a speedy courier ? Whereas if
thou be diligent; thy harvest will come like a fountain, and want
like a bad courier will run away.
12 A man void of understanding, and a transgi'essor, walketh
13 in ways which are not good. But he winketh with his eye and
maketh a sign with his foot ; and teacheth, by pointing his
14 fingers ; his depraved heart contriveth mischief. Such a one is
15 continually raising tumults in a city. For this cause his de-
struction cometh suddenly — wounds and incurable bruises.
16 Because he delighteth in all those things which God hateth :
17 therefore he is destroyed for the depravity of his soul. His eye
is that of a scorner; his tongue is false; his hands are employ-
18 ed in shedding innocent blood — his heart contriveth wicked
19 purposes, and his feet are swift to do evil : as a false witness
he spreadeth lies, and soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep the laws of thy father, and reject not the max-
21 ims of thy mother. Bind them continually on thy mind : and
22 tie them as a chain around thy neck. When thou walkest, take
this along and let it be with thee : and when thou sleepest, let
it guard thee ; that when thou awakest, it may talk with thee.
23 For the command of a law is a lamp and light ; and reproof and
24 instruction is the way of life, to keep thee from a married wo-
25 man, and from the flattering tongue of a strange woman. Let
not a lust for beauty overcome thee: be not captivated by thine
26 eyes, nor ensnared by her eyelids. For the price of a harlot is
scarce that of a single loaf; but an adulteress hunteth for the
27 precious lives of men. Can any one put fire in his bosom and
28 not burn his clothes? Or can one walk on coals of fire and not
29 burn his feet ? So he who goeth in, to a married woman, can-
not escape punishment — no, nor any one who toucheth her.
30 It exciteth no wonder, if one be caught stealing ; for a hungry
31 man stealeth to satisfy his soul ; but if he be caught, he is to
pay seven fold ; and by giving all that he hath, he will deliver
Ch. VII. PROVERBS.
32 himself. But he, who through want of understandmg, commit-
33 teth adulter}^ provideth destruction for his soul. He suffereth
pangs and dishonour ; and his reproach can never be wiped
34 away. For the rage of her husband being full of jealousy, will
35 not spare in the day of vengeance ; nor will he abate his enmi-
ty for any ransom ; nor be appeased by many gifts.
VII. My son keep my words and lay up my commandments
Avith thee.
2 My son, honor the Lord and thou shall be strong; but be-
sides him, fear no other. Keep my commandments, that thou
3 may st live ; and my words as the apple of thine eye. Bind them
about thy fingers, and write them on the table of diy heart.
4 Implore Wisdom to be thy sister, and make Understanding
5 thine acquaintance: that she may keep thee from a strange and
wicked woman, in case she, with alluring words should attack
6 thee. For through a lattice she looketh out of her house into
7 the streets ; and if among the simple youths she chanceth to
8 see a young man, void of understanding, walking near a corner
9 in the passages to her house, and talking in the twilight, when
10 the evening is still and duskish: — then this woman, who mak-
eth the hearts of young men flutter, meeteth him, in the attire
11 of a harlot. Indeed she is ever on the wing and insatiable, and
12 her feet abide not at home. For sometimes she roveth abroad :
and sometimes lieth in wait in the streets, at every corner.
13 Ha! she hath caught him and kissed him, and with an unblush-
ing countenance, said to him :
14 " I have a peace offering ; to-day I am paying my vows :
15 for this reason I came out to meet thee : earnestly longing to
16 see thee. I have found thee. With cords I have stretched my
17 bed, and decked it with tapestry from Egypt. I have perfum-
18 ed my bed with saffron, and my house with cinnamon : come,
and let us take our fill of love till the morning : — come and let
19 us solace ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home,
20 he is gone along journey ; he took in his hand a roll of silver,
and will return to his house after many days."
21 So with much fawning discourse she led him astray ; and
22 with the flattery of her lips inveigled him. And he is gone
after her, attracted by her ; as an ox is led to slaughter, or as
a dog to be chained : or like a deer pierced through the liver
Ch. VIII. PROVERBS.
23 with a dart. And he hasteth like a bird to a snare ; not know-
ing that he is running the risk of his hfe.
24 Now therefore my son hearken to me ; and attend to the
25 words of my mouth. Let not thy heart turn aside to her ways :
26 for she hath wounded and brought down many ; and innumera-
28 ble are they whom she hatTi slain. Her house is the highway
VIII. to Hades, leading down to the chambers of death. As for
thee thou art to proclaim wisdom ; that understanding may
2 attend thee. For she is on the lofty summits ; and hath taken
3 her stand in the middle of highways. For at the gates of the
mighty she hath taken a seat, and at the entrance thereof chant-
eth her song.
4 "To you, Ο men, I call, and utter my voice to the sons
5 of men. Ye who are innocent learn discretion ; and ye who
6 are uninstructed give attention. Hearken to me, for I will speak
solemn things ; and with my lips disclose things which are
7 right. For my mouth shall speak truth ; lying lips are indeed
8 abominable in my sight. All the words of my mouth are with
righteousness ; they have nothing crooked — nothing deceitful
9 in them. They are all plain to men of understanding : and
10 right to them who find knowledge. Receive instruction in
preference to silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold. —
11 For wisdom is better than precious stones : and no cosdy
12 thing is equal to it in value. I wisdom have inhabited counsel
and knowledge ; and I have made an appeal to understand-
13 ing. The fear of the Lord hateth injustice and insolence and
haughtiness and the ways of the wicked : and I have hated the
14 crooked ways of bad men. To me belong counsel and safety.
15 Prudence is mine — mine is fortitude. By me kings reign and
16 princes decree justice. By me potentates are exalted ; and by
17 me sovereigns rule the earth. Them who love me, I love :
18 and they who seek me shall find me. With me are riches and
19 glory ; even great possessions and righteousness. My fruit
is better than gold and precious stones : and my productions
20 are better than choice silver. I walk in the ways of righteous -
21 ness ; and am conversant in the paths of judgment : that 1
may distribute wealth to them who love me ; and fill their
treasuries with good things.
VOL. III. Β
Ch. IX. PROVERBS,
Having told you things which happen daily ; I will now
22 remember to reckon up things of old. The Lord created me,
23 the beginning of his ways for his works. Before this age he
24 founded me ; in the beginning ; before he made the earth and
before he made the deeps : before the fountains of water issued
25 forth — before the mountains were established ; and before all
26 the hills, he bringeth me forth. The Lord made fields and unin-
27 habited wilds ; and the habitable heights of the earth. When he
furnished the heaven, I was with him; and when he set apart his
28 own throne on the winds : and when he strengthened the clouds
29 above : and when he secured the fountains of the earth below —
30 And when he made the foundations of the earth strong : I was
harmonizing with him. I was the one in whom he delighted;
31 and I was daily gladdened by his presence on all occasions —
Avhenhe finished the world and was pleased therewith; and when
32 he was pleased with the sons of men. Now therefore, my son
hearken to nie : happy is the man who will hearken to me :
34 and the man who ^^dll keep my ways ; watching daily at my
35 gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For my ways are the
37 ways of life ; and volition is obtained from the Lord. But they
Avho sin against me act wickedly against their own souls ; and
they who hate me love death."
IX. Wisdom hath built herself a house, and fixed underneath
2 it seven pillai's. She hath slain her victims. She hath mixed
3 her wine for the cup and furnished her table. She hath sent
out her servants, and with a loud proclamation hath given an
invitation to her entertainment, saying,
4 " Whosoever is simple, let him come tome." And to them
5 who Avant understanding she saith, " Come, eat of my bread
6 and drink the Avine which I have mixed for you. Forsake folly,
that you may reign forever : and seek prudence and build up
7 understanding with knowledge." He who instructeth the wick-
ed shall receive for himself dishonour; and he who reproveth
8 the ungodly will blemish himself. Rebuke not the wicked,
lest they hate thee; rebuke a wise man and he will love thee.
9 Give a wise man a hint and he will be wiser — an Intimation to
1,0 a righteous man and he Λνίΐΐ proceed to take it. The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and knowledge is the coun-
11 scl of the holy. For to know the hnv is a characteristick of a
Ch. Χ. PROVERBS.
good understanding ; for by this means thou shalt live long, and
years of life will be added to thee.
12 My son, if thou art wise for thyself, thou wilt be M^ise also
for thy neighbours. But if thou become Λvicked, thou alone
shalt draw up evils. He who leaneth upon lies, feedeth on the
wind, and he shall pursue flying birds; for he hath left the walks
of his own vineyard, and wandered out of the paths of his own
field, and traverseth a desert without water, and a land destined
13 to thirst; and with his hands gathereth sterility. A woman who
is foolish and bold needeth a curb ; she hath no sense of shame.
14 She sat at the doors of her house — on a seat open to view in
15 the streets; calling to passengers who were going right on their
16 ways, " Let him who is the simplest of you turn aside to me ;
17 and them who want prudence I exhort saying, Taste sweetly
1 8 bread in secret and water sweeter for being stolen. He indeed
did not know that with her the earth born perish — that he is
lighting upon the perch of death. But fly thou away speedily;
tarry not in that place, nor fix thine eyes upon her; for in this
manner thou shouldst pass by strange water. Abstain from
strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain; that thou
mayst live long, and that years of life may be added to thee.
X. A wise son maketh a father glad ; but a foolish son is a
grief to the mother.
2 Treasures cannot profit the wicked ; but righteousness will
deliver from death.
3 The Lord will not kill with hunger a righteous soul; but
he will overthrow the life of the wicked.
4< Want humbleth a man ; but the hands of the diligent en-
rich.
A well instructed son will be wise, and shall have the sim-
ple for a servant.
5 A prudent son is safe from heat ; but a transgressing son is
blasted in harvest.
6 The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the righteous ;
but untimely giief shall stop the mouth of the wicked.
7 The j ust are remembered with praises ; but the name of the
wicked is extinguished.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments ; but a pre^
varicating babbler shall be subverted.
Ch. χ. PROVERBS.
9 He who walketh uprightly walketh securely ; but he who
perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He who winketh deceitfully with his eyes, collecteth sor-
rows for men ; but he who reproveth freely maketh peace.
1 1 There is a fountain of life in the hand of the righteous ; but
destruction will stop the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirreth up contention ; but friendship covereth all
them who are not contentious.
13 He who from his lips uttereth wisdom, smiteth an impru-
dent man with a rod.
14 Wise men will lay up knowledge ; but the mouth of the
rash is near destruction.
15 The wealth of the rich is a strong city; but penury is the
destruction of the wicked.
16 The works of the righteous produce life; but the hands
of the wicked produce sins.
17 Instruction keepeth the just ways of life ; but unexamined
instruction leadeth astray.
18 Honest lips hide hatred; but they who utter reproaches
are the greatest fools.
19 In speaking much thou canst not avoid sin; but if thou art
sparing of thy lips, thou wilt be wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is tried silver ; but the heart of
the wicked will not stand the test.
21 The lips of the righteous are skilled in things lofty; but
those devoid of understanding die of want.
22 The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the righteous ; it
maketh rich, and to it no sorrow of heart shall be joined.
23 A fool doth mischief in sport ; but for man wisdom bring-
eth forth prudence.
24 A wicked man is \vhirled about by destruction; but the
desire of the righteous is acceptable.
25 In a passing tempest a wicked man vanisheth ; but the righ-
teous turn aside and are safe forever.
26 As vinegar is hurtful to the teeth ; and smoke to the eyes;
so is transgression to them who commit it.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days ; but the years of the
wicked shall be shortened.
Ch. XL PROVERBS.
28 Joy maketh a long abode with the righteous; but the hope of
the wicked shall perish.
29 The fear of the Lord is the holy man's bulwark ; but de-
struction is for the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never transfer; but the wicked shall
not inhabit the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous distilleth wisdom; but the
tongue of the wicked shall be destroyed.
32 The lips of righteous men distil graces ; but the mouth of
the wicked is perverse.
XL A deceitful balance is an abomination to the Lord ; but
a just Aveight is his delight.
2 Where pride entereth, there dishonour [entereth] also.
But the mouth of the lowly speaketh wisdom.
5 A righteous man dying left sorrow behind him : but the
destruction of the wicked cometh suddenly and giveth joy.
5 Righteousness maketh spotless ways straight : but wicked-
ness falieth by iniquity.
6 The righteousness of upright men delivereth them : but
transgressors are caught by their destruction.
7 When a righteous man dieth, hope is not lost : but the
boast of the wicked perisheth.
8 A righteous man escapeth a snare : and in his stead the
wicked is delivered up.
9 In the mouth of the wicked is a snare for citizens : but
the knowledge of the righteous conduceth to prosperity.
11 By the good acts of the just a city flourished : but by the
mouth of the wicked it was overthrown.
12 A man void of wisdom derideth fellow citizens : but a pru-
dent man enjoyeth quiet.
13 A double tongued man revealeth cabinet counsels : but
one of a faithful spirit concealeth matters.
14 They, who have no government, fall like leaves : but in
much counsel there is safety.
15 A wicked man doth hurt, when he associateth with the
just : but he hateth the sound of safety.
16 A virtuous woman raiseth honour for her husband : but a
woman who hateth righteousness is a throne of disgrace.
The slothful though rich, become indigent : but the dili-
gent are supported with wealth.
Ch. ΧΙί. PROVERBS.
17 A merciful man doth good to his own soul : but the mer-
ciless destroyeth his own body.
18 A wicked man doth works of injustice : but the seed of the
righteous is a reward of truth.
19 A righteous son is born to live; but the pursuit of the
wicked tendeth to death.
20 Crooked ways are an abomination to the Lord : but all who
are blameless in their ways are his delight.
21 He who wickedly joineth hand to hand shall not go unpun-
ished : but he who soweth righteousness shall receive a just
reward.
22 As a jewel in the snout of a swine; so is beauty in a wo-
man void of discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is altogether good; but tlie
hope of the wicked shall perish.
24 There are some who scattering their substance make it
more ; and some who gather and make it less.
25 A soul is blessed which is altogether sincere : but a pas-
sionate man is not respected.
26 May he who withholdeth com leave it to the nations ! But
blessing be on the head of him who distributeth !
27 The contriver of good things seeketh favour : but him,
who seeketh mischief, mischief shall overtake.
28 He who trusteth in riches shall fall; but he who helpeth
the righteous shall flourish.
29 He who hath no cover for his own house shall inherit the
wind : and a fool shall be a servant to the prudent.
30 From the fruit of righteousness springeth up the tree of
life : but the lives of transgressors are prematurely destroyed.
31 If the righteous man scarcely escapeth : where shall the
ungodly and sinner appear?
XII. He who loveth instruction loveth knowledge : but he
who hateth reproofs is a fool.
2 He who hath found favour with the Lord groweth better ;
but the transgressor shall be put to silence.
3 A man cannot prosper by wickedness : but the roots of the
righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband : but a mis-
chievous woman, like a Avorm in wood, ruineth her husband.
Ch. XII. PROVERBS.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are judgments : but the
wicked manage deceits.
6 The words of the wicked are deceitful : but the mouth of
the upright shall deliver them.
7 When the \vicked is overthrown, he vanisheth : but the
houses of the righteous shall remain.
8 The mouth of the wise is praised by man : but the stupid
hearted is despised.
9 Better is the man, who unhonoured serveth himself : than
he who honoureth himself and wanteth bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the lives of his beasts : but the
mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tilleth his own ground shall be satisfied with bread:
but they who pursue vanities are void of understanding.
He who taketh pleasure in taverns shall leave disgrace in
his own fortresses.
12 The desires of the wicked are evil : but the roots of the
righteous are in secure places.
13 By the transgression of his lips a sinner falleth into snares :
but out of them a righteous man maketh his escape.
He whose looks are mild will gain compassion : but he who
contendeth in the gates will afflict souls.
14 From the fruits of his mouth the soul of man shall be satis-
fied with good things ; and the recompence of his lips shall be
given him.
15 The ways of fools are right in their own eyes : but a wise
man hearkeneth to advice.
16 A fool presently sheweth his wrath: but a prudent man
concealeth his dishonour.
17 A righteous man declareth the truth as it appeareth to him:
but a false witness is deceitful.
18 They \vho wound with their speeches are swords: but the
tongues of the wise are healing.
19 True lips establish testimony : but a hasty witness hath an
unrighteous tongue.
20 Deceit is in the heart of him, who contriveth evils : but
the counsellors of peace shall have joy.
21 Nothing unjust can please a righteous man : but the wick-
ed can fill themsches A\ith mischief.
Ch. XIII. PROVERBS.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to tlie Lord : but he who
dealeth faithfully is acceptable to him.
23 A prudent man is a throne of knowledge : but the heart of
fools will encounter curses.
24 The hand of the valiant can easily conquer : but the de-
ceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Awful news trouble the heart of a righteous man : but good
news make him glad.
26 A righteous judge will be a friend to himself; but evils
shall pursue siimers : and the way of the wicked shall deceive
them.
27 A deceitful man shall not enjoy what he hath caught ; but
as for a pure man, his acquisition is precious.
28 In the ways of righteousness there is life ; but the ways of
the revengeful lead to death.
XIII. A wise son is obedient to his father ; but a disobedient
son is in the way to destruction.
2 A good man eateth of the fruits of righteousness : but the
souls of transgressors shall perish untimely.
3 He who guardeth his mouth preserveth his life; but he who
is rash with his mouth, shall bring on himself terror.
4 Every sluggard is employed in wishing : but the hands of
the diligent, in procuring.
5 A righteous man hateth a false word ; but the wicked is
shamed and shall not have confidence.
7 Some pretend to be rich, having nothing; and some feign
themselves poor, in great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth ; but a poor man
is not subject to threats.
9 The righteous have light continually ; but the light of the
wicked is extinguished.
Deceitful souls are led astray by sins ; but the righteous
exercise pity and compassion.
10 A wicked man doth mischief with haughtiness ; but wise
men are their own judges.
11 Wealth acquired by injustice, diminisheth; but he who
gathereth for himself with piety, shall be satisfied. A righteous
man sheweth mercy and lendeth.
\2 Better is he who heartily bcginneth to help, than he who
Ch. XIV. PROVERBS.
promiseth and givetli expectation ; for good desire is a tree of
life.
13 He who despiseth business shall be despised by it ; but he
who feareth a commandment is safe.
To a deceitful son nothing can be good : but the actions of a
wise servant are prosperous, and his way will be prospered.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life ; but the fool shall
die by a snare.
15 A good understanding giveth favour ; and to know the
law is a proof of good understanding ; but the ways of impos-
tors end in destruction.
16 Every prudent man acteth with knowledge; but the fool
hath laid open his wickedness.
17 A daring king will involve himself in evils; but a wise am-
bassador will deliver him.
18 Instruction removeth poverty and disgrace; and he who re-
gardeth reproofs shall be honoured.
19 The desires of the pious sweeten life : but the works of the
wicked are far from knowledge.
20 By walking with the wise thou wilt be wise; but he who
walketh with fools will be known.
21 Evils shall pursue sinners, but good will overtake the
righteous.
22 A good man shall leave an inheritance to his children; but
the wealth of the wicked is treasured up for the righteous.
23 The righteous shall spend many years in wealth; but the un-
righteous shall perish in a short time.
24 He who spareth the rod hateth his son ; but he who loveth
him correcteth diligently.
25 A righteous man eateth and satisfieth his soul; but the souls
of the wicked are insatiate.
XIV. Wise women have built houses; but the foolish hath
pulled them down Λvith her hands.
2 He who walketh uprightly, feareth the Lord ; but he who
is perverse in his ways, shall be dishonoured.
3 From the mouth of fools there is a rod of pride; but the lips
of the wise preserve them.
4 Where there are no cattle the stalls are clean ; but where
there is much provender, the ox's strength is manifest.
VOL. III. c
Ch. XIV. PROVERBS.
5 A faithful witness doth not he; but a false witness kindleth
lies.
6 Thou mayst seek wisdom among the wicked, but shalt not
find it ; but knowledge is easily found among the prudent.
7 All things are contrary to a foolish man : but wise lips are
the arms of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will give them a knowledge of
their ways ; but the folly of fools is in error.
9 The houses of transgressors need purifying ; but the
houses of the righteous are acceptable.
10 The heart of a man who hath sensibility — the soul of him
who hath a feeling for pain, when he is made glad, mingleth not
Avith pride.
1 1 The houses of the wicked shall vanish; but the tents of the
upright shall stand.
12 There is a way which seemeth right to man; but the end
of it is at the bottom of Hades.
13 Grief mixeth not with pleasures; but extreme joy tendeth
to sorrow.
14 A bold hearted man will be satisfied with his own ways ;
but a good man, with his intentions.
15 A man without guile, believeth every thing: but a prudent
man cometh for a change of mind.
16 A wise man, when terrified, declineth from evil : but the
fool, confident in himself, mixeth with transgressors.
17 A passionate man acteth without counsel; but a pru-
dent' man beareth many things.
18 Fools partake of wickedness; but the prudent will lay
hold of knowledge.
19 Let the bad fall before the good; and the wicked attend at
the gates of the righteous !
20 Friends will hate poor friends ; but the friends of the rich
are many.
21 He who despiseth the poor, sinneth : but he who compas
sionateth the poor is blessed.
22 They who are led astray devise mischief; but the good de-
vise mercy and truth.
The contrivers of mischief know neither mercy nor truth;
but acts of kindness and truth are with them, who contrive good.
Ch. XV. PROVERBS.
' t23 With all who are careful there is abundance ; but he who
is delicate and taketh no trouble shall be in want.
24 A prudent man is a crown to the wise; but the conversa-
tion of fools is evil.
25 A true witness will deliver a soul from evils; but a deceit-
ful witness kindleth lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord a man hath hope of strength ;
and to his children he leaveth a support.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life ; and
it causeth to decline from the snare of death.
28 In the multitude of a nation is the glory of a king ; but in
the failure of a people is the destruction of a prince.
29 A man slow to Avrath, is of great understanding; but a pas-
sionate man is egregiously foolish.
30 A meek minded man is a physician of the heart; but a
heart of sensibility is a coiToder of the bones.
31 He who oppresseth the poor, provoketh his maker ; but he
whohonourethhim, compassionateth the distressed.
32 A wicked man shall be driven away by his wickedness ;
but in his sanctity the righteous is secure.
33 In the good heart of a man there is wisdom; but in the
heart of fools it is not discernable.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sins diminish tribes.
35 A wise minister is acceptable to a king: but by his own
good conduct he removeth disgrace.
XV. Wrath destroyeth even the prudent; now a soft answer
turneth away wrath; but a harsh word stirreth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise knoweth good things; but the mouth
of fools poureth out evils.
3 The eyes of the Lord ^re in every place, they behold bodi
the evil and the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life; and he who keepeth it
shall be filled with the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth the instruction of a father : but he who
keepeth commands is more prudent.
Where righteousness aboundeth there is much power: but
the wicked being utterly rooted out of the land, shall perish.
6 In the houses of the righteous there is much power ; but
the fruits of the wicked shall perish.
Ch. XV. PROVERBS.
7 The lips of the wise are devoted to knowledge; but the
hearts of fools are not safe.
8 The sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the
Lord; but the prayers of the upright are acceptable to him.
9 The ways of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord ;
but he loveth them λυΙιο follow righteousness.
10 The correction of the innocent is remarked by them who
pass by; but they who hate reproofs die dishonourably.
11 The mansion of the dead, and destruction, are open to the
view of the Lord ; how much more then the hearts of men !
12 An uninstructed man will not love them who reprove him,
nor will he associate with the wise.
13 When the heart is glad the countenance is cheerful ; but
when in sorrow, it is sad.
14 An upright heart seeketh knowledge ; but the mouth of
the uninstructed will taste evils.
1 5 The eyes of the wicked are continually looking for evils; but
the good are continually at rest.
16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than
great treasures without that fear.
17 Better is a dimier on herbs, Avith friendship and favour, than
a feast on young bulls, with enmity.
18 A wrathful man prepareth battles ; but he who is slow to
anger appeaseth the rising quarrel.
A man slow to anger will extinguish law suits; but the
wicked rather promote them.
19 The ways of the slothful are strewed with thorns; but those
of the diligent are well beaten.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son mock-
eth his mother.
21 The paths of the foolish are destitute of understanding; but
a prudent man walketh uprightly.
22 They who do not honour councils, substitute thoughts: but
23 by the understanding of counsellors, counsel will endure. A
wicked man will not hearken to it, nor can he say any thing
in season, or for the publick good.
24 The determinations of the wise are ways of life, that he
may turn from the mansion of the dead and be saved.
Ch. XVI. PROVERBS.
25 The Lord destroy eth the houses of the haughty : but the
border of the widow he hath estabHshed.
26 An evil thought is an abomination to the Lord: but the
speeches of the chaste are grave.
27 He who receiveth bribes destroyeth himself: but he who
hateth the receiving of bribes is safe.
By acts of kindness and faithfuhiess sins are purged away:
and by the fear of the Lord every one will decline from evil.
28 The hearts of the righteous study faithfulness: but the
mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The ways of the righteous are acceptable to the Lord :
and by them enemies are made friends.
29 God is far removed from the wicked: but he hearkeneth to
the prayers of the righteous.
Better is a small portion with righteousness; than much
produce with injustice.
Let the heart of man devise righteous things, that his
steps may be directed by God.
30 The eye which beholdeth good things rejoiceth the heart :
3 1 And a good reputation maketh the bones fat.
32 He who rejecteth instruction hateth himself : but he who
regardeth reproofs loveth his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom: and the
beginning of glory will be answerable thereto.
XVL All the works of the humble are manifest in the sight
of God; but the wicked shall perish in an evil day.
4 Every lofty minded man is impure in the sight of God :
and he who hath joined hand to hand unjustly shall not go
unpunished.
The beginning of a good way is to do things just and ac-
ceptable in the sight of God, rather than to offer sacrifices.
He who seeketh the Lord shall find knowledge with right-
eousness. x\nd they who seek him early shall find peace.
5 All the works of the Lord are with righteousness : but the
wicked is kept for an evil day.
10 Divine sentence is in the mouth of a king : therefore his
mouth should not err in judgment.
11 Justice is that which turneth the scales with the Lord. And
his works are of just weight.
Ch. XVI. PROVERBS.
12 An evil doer is an abomination to a king: for the throne
of government is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loveth right
words.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death: but a wise
man can pacify it.
15 The son of a king is in the light of life: and they who
are acceptable to him are as an evening cloud.
16 The productions of wisdom are better than gold: and the
productions of prudence are better than silver.
17 The paths of life turn aside from evils: and the ways of right-
eousness are length of life.
He who receiveth instruction shall enjoy good: and he who
regardeth reproofs shall be wise.
He who watcheth his own ways preserveth his soul : and
he who loveth his life will be sparing of his mouth.
18 Pride goeth before destruction : and a haughty spirit be-
fore a fall.
19 A man of a gentle spirit with humility is better than he who
divideth spoils with scorners.
20 A man intelligent in business is an inventer of good things :
but most happy is he whose trust is in God.
21 The wise and prudent are called crafty; and they who arc
sweet in discourse will be more listened to.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to them who possess it :
but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 The heart of a wise man will consider the words of his
mouth : and on his lips he will carry knowledge.
24 Good words are a honey comb : and the sweetness thereof
is health to the soul.
25 There are ways which seem right to a man : but the latter
ends of them look to the bottom of Hades.
26 A man by labour laboureth for himself; and wardeth off
his own destruction.
27 He who is utterly perAcrse carrieth destruction in his mouth.
A man void of understanding diggeth up evils for himself;
and treasureth up fire with his lips.
28 A froward man spreadeth mischief. He will light up a lamp
of deceit for evils; and he separateth diem who were friends.
Ch. XVII. PROVERBS.
29 The man who is a transgressor enticeth friends ; and lead-
30 eth them in ways which are not good. But he who fixeth his
eyes and deviseth froward things ; and with his mouth en-
forceth all his evil purposes; is a very furnace of Λvickedness.
31 Old age is a crown of glory, when found in the ways of
righteousness.
32 A man who is slow to wrath is better than the mighty ; and
he who subdueth anger is better than he who taketh a city.
33 All things come upon the wicked into their bosoms : but
from the Lord all things which are just.
XVII. Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace ; than a house
full of goods and ill gotten dainties, with contention.
2 A wise servant will rule over foolish masters ; and di-
vide portions among brothers.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace ; so are chosen
hearts, by the Lord.
4 A wicked man hearkeneth to the tongue of transgressors :
but a righteous man payeth no attention to lying lips.
5 He who derideth a man in distress provoketh his maker ;
and he who rcjoiceth at another's ruin shall not go unpunish-
ed : but he who sheweth compassion shall find mercy.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men : and the
boast of children, is their fathers.
Every ornament of wealth belongeth to the faithful; but to
the unfaithful, not a farthing.
7 Faithful lips will not harmonize with a fool ; nor lying
lips with a righteous man.
8 Instruction is a precious reward to them who use it : and
whithersoever it tumeth it will prosper.
9 He who hideth transgressions seeketh friendship : but
he who hateth to conceal, setteth friends and relations at va-
riance.
10 A threat aifecteth the heart of the prudent : but a fool,
though scourged, is not made sensible.
11 ^ Every wicked man stirreth up contention : but the Lord
will send him a cruel messenger.
12 ^ Trouble may befal a prudent man : but the foolish will de-
vise mischief.
13 Whosoever returneth evil for good ; from his house evils
shall not depart.
Ch. XVIII. PROVERBS.
14 A righteous government giveth force to words : but sedi-
tion and quarrelling are the forerunners of want.
15 He who acquitteth the wicked and condemneth the just, is
unclean and abominable in the sight of God.
16 Why should a fool have wealth ? For the stupid cannot pur-
chase wisdom.
He who buildeth his house high seeketh destruction : and
he who is backward to learn shall fall into evils. *
17 For every occasion have a friend ; but in distress let bro-
thers be assistant : for they are born for this purpose.
18 A man void of understanding clappeth his hands and ap-
plaudeth himself on becoming surety for his friends.
19 He who is fond of sinning delighteth in quarrels ; but he
20 who is stubborn doth not meet Λvith good.
A man of a changeable tongue will fall into evils : but tlie
heart of a fool is sorrow to him who hath it.
21 A father hath no joy in an unteachable son : but a prudent
son is the joy of his mother.
22 A cheerful heart promoteth health ; but the bones of a
heart- wounded man are dried up.
23 When one unrighteously receiveth gifts in his bosom ; his
ways will not be straight. But a wicked man perverteth the
ways of justice.
24 The countenance of a wise man is intelligent; but the fool's
eyes are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a vexation to a father ; and sorrow to her
who bore him.
26 To fine a righteous man is not good : nor is it consistent
with piety to plot against righteous rulers.
27 He who forbeareth to utter a harsh Avord is prudent : and
he who is slow to anger is a man of understanding.
28 Wisdom will be imputed to a fool, who inquireth after wis-
dom : and he who imposeth silence on himself will be esteem-
ed wise.
XVIII. He who desireth to part with friends seeketh ex-
cuses ; but he will always be liable to reproach. —
2 He who is void of understanding hath no use for wisdom ;
for he is rather led by folly.
Cii. XVIII. PROVERBS.
3 When a wicked man cometh to a depth of evils he shevveth
contempt; but ignominy and reproach come upon him.
4 A speech in a man's heart is deep water; but a stream is-
sueth forth and a flowing spring.
5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good ; nor is
it consistent with piety to pervert justice in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool lead him into trouble; and his mouth
when bold provoketh death.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction, and his lips are a
8 snare for his soul.
Fear depresseth the slothful ; and the souls of the eifeminate
shall suffer want.
9 He who doth not use his endeavours to cure himself is bro-
ther to him who destroyeth himself.
10 The name of the Lord is of majestic power; and the righte-
ous havhig recourse to it shall be exalted.
11 A rich man's wealth is a strong city, and the glory of it
casteth a great shadow.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, and before
honour it is humble.
13 He who answereth a matter before he heareth it, exposeth
his folly and incurreth contempt.
14 ^ A wise servant appeaseth a man's anger; but a mean spi-
rited man who can bear ?
15 The heart of a prudent man getteth knowledge; and the
ears of the wise seek understandina•.
ο
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and procureth him a
seat among the mighty.
17 A just man is his own accuser in his first speech ; but when
he is accused his adversary is refuted.
1 8 The silent lot putteth an end to contention, and determineth
among the mighty.
19 A brother assisted by a brother is like a fortified and lofty
city, and is strong as a well founded palace.
20 With the fruits of his mouth a man filleth his belly, and
with the fruits of his lips he shall be satisfied.
2 1 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they who
have the command of it shall eat the fruits thereof.
VOL. III. η
Ch. XIX. PROVERBS.
22 He who hath found a good wife hath found favour, and
hath received joy from God.
He who putteth away a good wife, putteth away good things;
but he who retaineth an adulteress is fooUsh and wicked.
XIX. The folly of a man maketh his ways destructive; but in
his heart he blameth God.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but a poor man is for-
saken by the only friend he hath.
5 A false witness shall not go unpunished; and he whoaccus-
eth unjustly shall not escape.
6 Many court the favour of kings; but every one who is
wicked is a disgrace to a man in power.
7 Every one who hateth β. brother in distress shall be far
from friendship.
A good understanding will approach them who know it,
and a prudent man will find it.
He who doth much evil perfecteth wickedness; and he who
useth irritating words shall not be safe.
8 He who procureth wisdom loveth himself; and he who
keepeth it shall find good things.
9 Let not a false witness go unpunished ; and let him who
kindleth mischief perish by it.
10. It is not seemly for a fool to enjoy delicacies; nor for a ser-
vant to begin to domineer with haughtiness.
11 A merciful man is slow to wrath ; and his boast is over
transgressors.
12 The threat of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but his
favour is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is a. shame to a father.
Vows for the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 Fathers bequeath houses and wealth to children; but the
Lord accommodateth a wife to a husband.
15 Feai' restrained! the effeminate; but the soul of the sloth-
ful shall suffer want.
16 He who keepeth a command preserveth his soul; but he
who despiseth his own ways shall perish.
17 He who is kind to the poor lendeth to God; and accord-
ing to his gift he will repay him.
Ch. XX. PROVERBS.
18 Chasten thy son, for thus he will be hopeful; but be not in
thy soul transported to haughtiness.
19 Let a malicious man be fined high ; but if he take away life,
let him forfeit his own.
20 Hear my son, the instruction of thy father that thou mayst
be wise in thy latter days.
21 There are many thoughts in a man's heart : but the coun-
sel of th6 Lord shall endure forever.
22 Beneficence is a crop for a man : and a poor just man is
better than a rich liar.
23 The fear of the Lord conduceth to a man's life : but he
who is fearless will lodge in places where knowledge doth not
watch.
24 He who hideth his hands in his bosom unjustly; should
not bring them out for his mouth.
25 When a criminal is scourged, a simpleton becometh more
wary : but if thou rebukest a wise man, he will call to mind
knowledge.
26 He who bringeth dishonour on a father and causeth his mo-
ther to flee; shall be exposed to shame and shall be reproached.
27 A son who ceaseth to keep the instruction of a father; will
meditate on evil sayings.
28 He who is surety for a foolish son, shall rail at the statute;
but the mouth of the wicked shall swallow decisions.
29 Rods are prepared for the profligate : and punishments in
like manner for fools.
XX. Wine is intemperate, and drunkenness scornful. And
with these every fool is entangled.
2 The threat of a king is like the rage of a lion ; and he who
provoketh him sinneth against his own life.
3 It is an honour to a man to abstain from railing : but with
such things every fool is entangled.
4 Though a sluggard is reproached he is not ashamed : and
the same is the case with him who borroweth corn in harvest.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man is deep water; but a man of
understanding will draw it up.
6 A man is a great thing : and a merciful man a precious
thing : but it is hard to find a faithful man.
7 He who conducteth himself spotless in justice shall leave
behind him his children happy.
Ch. XXI. PROVERBS.
8 When a righteous kmg sitteth on a throne, nothing that is
evil can stand his eyes.
9 Who can boast that he hath a clean heart? Or who can say
with confidence that he is pure from sin?
20 Whosoever curseth father or mother; let his lamp be ex-
tinguished and his eye balls involved in darkness.
21 A portion got at first with too much haste will not at the
last be blessed.
22 Do not say, I will take vengeance on an enemy ; but wait
for the Lord that he may help thee.
10 Diverse Aveights and diverse measures are impure in the
sight of the Lord. Yes, both they and he who useth them.
11 A youth when in company with the godly, will be restrain-
ed in his devices and his way will be straight.
12 The ear heareth and the eye seeth; and both are the work
of the Lord.
13 Love not contradiction that thou mayst not be destroyed :
open thine eyes and be filled with bread.
24 A diverse weight is an abomination to the Lord : and a de-
ceitful balance is not good in his sight.
The steps for a man are plainly set forth by the Lord : how
then should a mortal consider his ways !
25 The hasty dedication of his property is a snare to a man :
for after the vow a change of mind happeneth.
26 A wise king is a winnower of the wicked; and he will
bring a wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searcheth
the inward recesses of the body.
28 Beneficence and truth are a guard to a king : and they will
encompass his throne with justice.
29 Wisdom is an ornament to young men: and grey hairs are
the glory of the old.
30 Blood shot eyes and bruises light upon bad men : and there
are wounds for the inner recesses of the body.
XXL The heart of a king is in the hand of God; like a canal
of water, he turneth it whithersoever he pleaseth.
2 Every man appeareth righteous in his own eyes : but the
Lord directeth hearts.
/
ph. XXI. PROVERBS.•!
3 To do justice and to adhere to truth are more acceptable to
God than the blood of victims.
4 A high minded man is contentious and stubborn : but sin is
the lamp of the wicked.
6 He who getteth treasures by a lyingtongue, pursueth vanity
to the snares of death.
7 Destruction shall lodge with the wicked; because they re-
fuse to do justice.
8 To the perverse God sendeth crooked ways: for his works
are pure and right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner in the open air; than in
apartments plaistered with injustice; and in a house which is not
clean.
10 The soul of the wicked will not be pitied by any man.
11 When a profligate is punished the innocent become more
cautious; and the intelligent wise man will gain knowledge.
12 A just man discerneth the hearts of the wicked; and des-
piseth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 He who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear the distress-
ed shall himself cry, and there shall be none to answer.
14 A gift given secretly pacifieth resentments; but he who is
sparing of gifts exciteth strong wrath.
1 5 It is the joy of the righteous to execute judgment : but in
the view of the wicked a holy man is unclean.'
16 A man who wandereth from the path of justice, shall go to
rest among the congregation of giants.
17 A needy man loveth pleasure. He wisheth to have wine and
oil for his riches : and a transgressor wisheth to be acquitted as
a righteous man.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness than wiUi a quarrel-
some, clamorous and passionate wife.
20 A desirable treasure will rest in the mouth of the wise : but
men who are foolish will swallow it.
21 The way of justice and mercy will lead to life and glory.
22 A wise man hath scaled strong cities and demolished forti-
fications in which the wicked trusted.
23 He who guardeth his mouth and tongue keepeth his soul
from trouble.
Ch. XXII. PROVERBS.
24 He who is bold, sclfwilled and boastful is called loimos [a
pest;] and he who harboureth mischief is called a transgressor.
25 Wishing killeth the slothful; for his hands do not chuse to
labour.
26 All the day long a wicked man indulgeth wicked desires;
but the righteous unsparingly exerciseth pity and compassion.
27 The sacrifices of die wicked are an abomination to the
Lord; because they oiTer them unrighteously.
28 A false witness shall perish; but a man who is a witness
will speak guardedly.
29 A wicked man impudently hardeneth his face : but the up-
right will himself consider his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no fortitude, no counsel in the
wicked.
31 A horse is provided for the day of battie : but help cometh
from the Lord.
XXII. A good name is to be chosen in preference to great
wealth; and good favour, in preference to gold and silver.
2 The rich and poor have met each other; and the Lord hath
made them both.
3 A prudent man seeing the wicked severely punished in-
structeth himself: but the foolish passed heedlessly by and
were punished.
4 The offspring of wisdom are the fear of the Lord and
riches and glory and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in crooked paths : but he who
watcheth his soul shall avoid them.
7 The rich rule over the poor; though servants lend to their
own masters.
8 He who soweth iniquity shall reap evils; and compleat the
punishment of his deeds.
God blesseth a cheerful giver; and will supply the defi-
ciency of his works.
9 He who compassionateth the poor shall be fed; for he gave
of his own bread to the poor.
He who giveth gifts secureth victory and honour. He in-
deed taketh away the soul of the receivers.
10 Expel from council an overbearing man; and contention
Ch. XXII. PROVERBS.
Λνίΐΐ go out with him : for if he sitteth iii council he dishonour-
eth all.
1 1 The Lord loveth holy hearts; and all the unspotted are ac-
ceptable to him.
A king feedeth with his lips; but the eyes of the Lord dili-
gently watch the sentiment : and a transgressing word setteth
it at naught.
13 A slothful manmaketh excuse andsaith, There is a lion
in the highw^ays and murderers in the streets.
14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep ditch; and he Λvho is
hated of the Lord shall fall into it.
There are bad ways before a man and he loveth not to avoid
them : but he ought to avoid a crooked and bad way.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child : but a rod and in-
struction will drive it from him.
16 Some plunder the poor to increase their Λvealth and give to
the rich to lessen it.
17 Incline thine ear to the words of the wise; and hear my dis-
course and apply thy heart; that thou mayst know that they are
18 good. If thou indeed wilt lay them up in thy heart; they will
19 give thee delight and be on thy lips. In order that thy hope may
be upon the Lord; and that he may make known to thee thy
20 way. Write thou them for thyself three times over; for counsel
21 and knowledge, on the table of thy heart. For this purpose I
teach thee sound doctrine and knowledge good to be listened
to: that thou mayst answer them who propound to thee
words of truth.
22 Oppress not the needy because he is poor: nor treat ΛvitK
disrespect at the gates one who is weak.
23 For the Lord will judge his cause; and thou shouldst pre-
serve thy hfe safe and secure.
24 Have no fellowship with a man addicted to ^Vl'ath; nor lodge
with a friend who is passionate : lest thou learn his ways and
lay a snare for thine own life.
25 Do not out of respect for a person become surety. For if
26 thou hast not wherewithal to pay, thy bed will be taken from
under thee.
2.7 Remove not ancient boundaries w^hich thv fathers have set.
Ch. XXIII. PROVERBS.
28 A man clear in his perceptions and quick in the despatch
of business should stand before kings and not wait on slothful
men.
XXIII. When thou sittest down to eat at the table of a ruler ;
observe diligently what are set before thee : and put to thy
[ 2 hand, knowing that thou must provide the like. But if thou
hast an appetite not easily satisfied; desire not his dainties; for
they give false life.
.3 If thou art poor, enter not into competition with one who
4 is rich: but be restrained by thine own prudence. If thou fix
thy view toward him, he is out of sight : for he is provided
with wings as of an eagle; and directeth his course to the
house of one who is before him.
5 Eat not with an envious man, nor desire his meats: for he
6 eateth and drinketh as one swallowing a hair. Neither invite
him to thy house, nor eat thy morsel with him: for it Avill
cause him to vomit and he will blame thy kind invitations.
7 Make no addresses to a man void of understanding: lest
8 he peradventure mock thy judicious discourse. Remove not
ancient land marks, nor encroach upon the possession of the
9 fatherless. For the Lord who is their redeemer is strong; and
will plead their cause with thee.
10 Apply thy heart to instruction ; and prepare thine eai's for
the words of knowledge.
11 Refrain not from correcting a child: for if thou beat him
12 with a rod, thou mayst prevent his death. For thou wilt beat
him with a rod and deliver his soul from death.
13 My son, if thy heart be wise, thou wilt gladden my heart.
14 And thy lips, if they be right, Λνϋΐ hold long conversation with
mine.
15 Let not thy heart envy sinners : but be thou in the tear of
the Lord all the day long.
18 If thou indeed keep these instructions: they will be a pro-
geny to thee and thy hope shall not perish.
19 Hear, my son and be wise and direct the thoughts of thy
heart aright.
20 Be not a wine bibber, nor devoted to clubs : and to the pur-
21 chasing of flesh meat. For every one addicted to revelling and
Ch. XXIV. PROVERBS.
stews shall come to beggaiy : and every one given to sleep
shall be clothed with rags and tatters.
22 Hearken, my son, to the father who begot thee : and de-
spise not thy mother because she is old.
24 Λ righteous father nourisheth thee well ; and his soul re-
joiceth in a wise son.
25 Let thy father and thy mother have joy in thee : and let her
who bare thee rejoice.
26 My son, give me thy heart ; and let thine eyes observe
my ways.
27 For a strange house is a hogshead full of holes: and a strange
28 well is narrow. For that will quickly perish ; and every trans-
gressor shall be destroyed.
29 Who hath woes? Who hath trouble ? Who hath law suits?
Who hath vexations and squabbles ? Who hath wounds with-
30 out cause ? Whose are the eyes suffused with blood ? Are
they not theirs who tarry long at wine — who frequent the places
Λvhere there are revels ?
Be not drunk with wine; but converse with righteous men :
31 and converse in the publick walks. For if thou givest thine
eyes to cups and goblets ; thou wilt go about afterwards na-
32 ked as a pestle : and be, at last, like one swoln by the bite of
33 a serpent ; or as one stung by a basilisk. When thine eyes
behold a strange woman; then will thy mouth speak perversely.
34 And thou wilt lie as in the midst of the sea : and like a pilot
35 in a mighty storm. And thou wilt say. They have beaten me
and I felt no pain ; they insulted me and I was not sensible of it.
When will it be day, that I may go and seek with whom I can
have a meeting.
XXIV. My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with
2 them : for their hearts study falsehood ; and their lips utter
mischief.
3 By wisdom a house is built ; and by understanding it is
established.
4 By knowledge chambers are filled with all precious and
pleasant riches.
5 Better is a wise man than one who is strong : and the man
who hath imderstanding, than he who hath a large cultivated
field.
VOL. III. Ε
Ch. XXIV. PROVERBS.
6 By government war is conducted ! and help is the attend-
ant of a heart instructed by counsel.
7 . Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the
wise : the wise turn not aAvay from the commandment of
the Lord : but they consult in counsels.
9 Death meeteth the uninstructed and a fool dieth by sins.
10 In a man who is selfwilled, arrogant and boastful there is
impurity : in an evil day and a day of adversity, he will be
stained deeper and deeper, until he utterly faint.
1 1 Deliver them who are to be led away to death; and inter-
12 cede for them who are to be slain, make no delay. If thou
should say, I do not know this man ; know that the Lord
knoweth the hearts of all: and that he, ^vho gave breath to all,
knoweth all things : and ^vill render to every one according to
his works.
13 My son^ cat honey (for a honey comb is good) that thy pa-
14 late may be sweetened. In like manner let thy soul taste wis-
dom ; for if thou find it, thy end will be good and hope will
not forsake thee.
15 Lead not the wicked to the pasture of the righteous; nor
16 be led astray for a belly full. For a righteous man may fall
seven times and rise again ; but in calamities the wicked shall
be without strength.
17 If thine enemy fall rejoice not over him; nor be elated at
his stumbling: for the Lord will see and it will displease him,
and he will turn away his wrath.
18 Rejoice not over evil doers nor envy sinners. For the poste-
rity of an evil one cannot continue; and the lamp of the wicked
shall be extinguished.
19 My son, fear God and the king and be not disobedient to
either of them. For they can suddenly punish the wicked; and
their punishments who can know?
21 A son who keepeth the word shall be far from destruc-
tion; for he hath received it to effect.
22 Let no falsehood be uttered from the mouth of a king, and
from his mouth let no falsehood proceed.
23 The tongue of a king is a sword and not flesh ; whoever
•j: 'is delivered up to it shall be destroyed. For if his wrath be
sharpened, it consumcth men with thongs, and devoureth the
Ch. XXX. XXIV. PROVERBS.
bones of men; or like a flame, burneth them up, so that they
cannot be devoured by young eagles.
XXX. My son, be awed by these words of mine, receive them
and reform. Thus saith the man to them who trust in God— -
but I stop. For I am the most foolish of all men. And I have
2 not the understanding of man in me. God hath taught me wis-
dom: and I have gained a knowledge of holy things.
3 Who hath ascended up to heaven and come down ?
Who hath collected the winds in his bosom ?
Who hath infolded the water in a mantle ?
Who hath a dominion over all the ends of the earth ?
What is his name? or what the name of his sons?
Since all the words of God are tried, and he is a shield to
them ^vho revere him ; add not to his Avords lest he reprove
thee and thou be found a liar.
Two things I beg of thee — deprive me not of favour before
I die ; remove far from me vanity and lying. Give me neither
riches nor poverty, but order for me things necessary and
convenient ; that when I am filled I may not become false and
say. Who seeth me? Or being in want, steal and swear by the
name of God.
Deliver not up a servant into the hands of a master ; lest
he curse thee and thou be removed out of sidit.
A wicked progeny curse their father and bless not their
mother.
A wicked progeny judge themselves righteous, but have
not purged their ways.
A wicked progeny have lofty eyes and uplifted eyebrows.
A wicked progeny have teeth like swords and gi'inders
like cleavers, so as to consume and devour the poor from the
earth, and the needy from among men.
XXIV. 23 But this I say to you who are wise to know, it is not
good to respect a person in judgment.
24 He who saith of the wicked, " He is not guilty," shall be
25 cursed by the tribes and hateful to the nations : but they who
reprove shall appear better ; and upon them a blessing shall
come.
26 Lips will kiss the things which convey good words.
27 Prepare thy Λvorks for the time of going out, and l^e in com-
Ch. XXX. PROVERBS.
plete preparation for the field^and come after me ; then thou
shalt build thyself a house.
28 Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, nor give a
29 loose to thy lips. Do not say, " I will use him as he hath used
me ; and punish him for the injuries he hath done me."
30 A fool is like a field, and a man void of understanding, like
31a vineyard ; if thou lettest them alone, they will be overrun
with weeds and grass, and become useless, and their stone
fences will be thrown down.
32 I have at length repented and looked about, with a view to
33 chuse instruction. I am dozing a little — just taking a short
34 nap — just infolding my breast with my hands. If such indeed
be thy conduct ; poverty will come upon thee like a traveller
and want like a swift courier.
XXX. 15 The leech had three daughters greatly beloved, but
these three did not satisfy her — nay even the fourth did not
suffice for her to say, There is enough.
16 The grave, and lust for women, and land unsatiated with
water — nay water and fire will never say. There is enough.
17 The eye which derideth a father and despiseth the old age
of a mother, may the ravens of the valley pick it out, and the
young eagles devour it.
18 There are three things which I cannot perceive, and a fourth
which I do not know — the tracks of an eagle in its flying — the
footsteps of a serpent on a rock — the marks of a ship crossing
20 the sea — and the ways of a man in youth. Such is the way of an
adulterous woman, who having committed the act and washed
herself, saith, that she hath done nothing improper.
21 By three things a land is disturbed, and a fourth it cannot
22 bear — a servant when he reigneth — a fool when filled with
23 meat — a handmaid when she expelleth her mistress — and an
odious woman when she hath a good husband.
24 There are four things on the earth which are very small, yet
25 they are wiser than the wise — the ants, which not having
26 strength, provide their food in summer — the choirogryllus,
which being a feeble nation have built their houses among
27 rocks — ^the locusts, which having no king encamp regularly
28 at the word of command — and the calabotes, which depending
on its feelers and being easily caught maketh its abode in the
fortresses of kings.
Ch. XXXI. XXV. PROVERBS.
29 There are three things which march well and a fourth
30 which is stately in its gait — a young lion the strongest of beasts
which tunieth not aside nor feareth any beast — and a cock
31 strutting magnanimously among his females — and a he-goat
marching at the head of a flock — and a king harranguing a
nation.
32 If thou sufferest thyself to be elated with joy and engagest
in battle thou wilt incur disgrace.
33 Churn milk and there will be butter, and if thou wringest the
nose, blood will issue forth ; so if thou usest provoking lan-
' guage contentions and quarrels will ensue.
XXXI. These words of mine have been dictated by God,
they are the prophecy of a king whom his mother instructed.
2 What wilt thou keep my son? What! keep the dictates of
God. One right of primogeniture I tell thee, my son. What
is it thou son of my womb ? What is it thou son of my vows?
3 Give not thy wealth to women; nor thine understanding and
thy life for that which will bring sorrow.
4 Do all things with counsel. Drink wine with counsel,
5 Princes are passionate, therefore let them not drink wine, lest
by drinking they forget wisdom, and become incapable of ad-
• ministering justice to the oppressed.
6 Give strong drink to those in trouble, and wine to be drunk
by them who are in sorrow; that they may forget their distress
and no more remember their troubles.
7 Open thy mouth with the word of God, and administer jus-
tice to all with a sound understanding.
8 Open thy mouth and judge righteously, and plead the cause
of the weak and needy.
XXV. These are the detached instnictions of Solomon "which
the friends of Hezekias kmg ofJudea copied out,
2 The glory of God obscureth a matter : but the glory of a
king giveth a lustre to actions.
3 Heaven is high and the earth is deep : and the heart of a
king is unsearchable.
4 Beat drossy silver and all that is pure ΛνΙΙΙ be purified.
5 Slay the wicked from the presence of a king and his throne
will be established in righteousness.
6 Boast not in the presence of a king; nor range thyself in
Ch. XXV. PROVERBS.
the places of princes: For it is better it should be said to theej
"Come up hither ;" than that thou shouldstgive place at the
presence of a prince.
7 Tell wliat thine eyes have seen.
8 Enter not hastily into a quarrel: lest thou repent at the last
when thy friend shall upbraid thee.
9 In yielding shew no contempt, lest thy friend upbraid thee :
in which case thy quarrel and enmity will not cease, but last
till death.
10 Favour and friendship give freedom. Keep these for thyself
that thou mayst not be exposed to reproach. But keep thy
ways with a placable temper.
11 It is an apple of gold in a sardine bracelet, thus to speak
a ΛVord.
12 A precious sardius is bound to an ear-ring of gold; and a
word of wisdom to an obedient ear.
13 As the coming out of snow in harvest is grateful accord-
ing to the degree of heat: so is a faithful messenger to them
who send him: for he refresheth the souls of them who em-
ploy him.
14 As winds and clouds and rain are conspicuous things; so is
he who boasteth for a false gift.
15 By patience kings have a prosperous journey : and a soft
tongue breaketh bones.
16 Having found honey eat just what is sufficient: lest being
glutted thou vomit it up.
17 Go seldom to the house of thy friend: lest he be cloyed
with thee and hate thee.
] 8 Sharp is a nail and a sword and an arrow: so is a man
who beareth false witness against his friend.
19 The way of a bad man and the foot of a transgressor shall
be destroyed in an evil day.
20 As vinegar is hurtful to a boil ; so bodily disease giveth
pain to the heart.
21 As a moth in a garment and a \vorm in wood : so a man's
grief hurteth the heart.
22 If thine enemy hunger feed him; if he be thirsty give him
drink : for by doing this thou wilt use the means to melt him ;
and the Lord will reward thee with good.
Ch. XXVI. PROVERBS.
23 The north wind raiseth clouds: and an impudent counte-
nance irritateth the tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a comer of the house top, than with
a scolding wife in a wide house.
25 As cold water is grateful to a thirsty soul; so is good news
from a distant country.
26 As if one should stop up a fountain and destroy an outlet
of water : so is it disorderly for a righteous man to fall before
the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey : but we ought to
honour glorious words.
28 A man who doth any thing without counsel ; is like a city
which hath the foundations of walls laid and is without walls. .
XXVI. As dew at the ingathering of fruit and as rain in har-
vest; so is honour for a fool.
2 As birds and ostriches fly away; so a vain curse will not
light on any one.
3 As a whip for a horse and a goad for an ass; so is a scourge
for a sinful nation.
4 Answer not a fool conformably to his folly ; lest thou be-
5 come like him. But answer a fool according to his folly ; that
he may not think himself λυΪ3^.
6 He who sendeth a message by a foolish messenger; by his
own ways procureth disgrace.
7 As Well take walking from the legs; as transgression from
the mouth of fools.
8 He who bindeth a stone in a sling is like him who giveth
honour to a fool.
9 Thorns stick in the hands of a drunken man; and slavery in
the hand of fools.
10 All the flesh of fools is in a tempest: for their soundest sleep
is broken.
11 As a dog becometh odious when he returneth to his vo-
mit ; so is a fool for his wickedness, when he returneth to
his sin.
12 There is a shame which leadeth to sin: and a shame which
procureth glory and honour.
13 I have seen a man who thought himself wise: but there
was more hope of a fool than of him.
Ch. XXVII. PROVERBS.
14 A slothful man sent on a journey saith, There is a lion in
the way and murderers in the streets.
15 As a door turneth on its hinges so doth a slothful man on
his bed.
16 A slothful man having hid his hand in his bosom cannot
bring it out to his mouth,
17 A slothful man thinketh himself wiser than him who in
plenty carrieth a message.
He who meddleth with another^s strife, is like one who
taketh a dog by the tail.
18 As they who undertake to cure throw out words for men;
and he who falleth in with the proposal will be first supplant-
19 ed ; so all who ensnare their friends, when they are found out
say, I did it in sport.
20 By much fuel a fire is nourished : but where there is no
stirrer up of quarrels, contention ceaseth.
21 A hearth is for coals and fuel for fire : and a contentious
man for the bustle of strife.
22 The words of the crafty are soft : but they pierce the
inmost recesses of the soul.
23 Silver given with deceit, should be accounted as a potsherd.
Smooth lips disguise a Avicked heart.
24 A weeping enemy assenteth to every thing with his lips :
but in his heart he contriveth deceit.
25 Though an enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, believe
him not : for in his heart there is seven fold wickedness.
26 He who concealeth enmity practiseth deceit ; but being
found out he discloseth his sins in publick assemblies.
27 May he who diggeth a pit for his neighbour fall into it ;
and he who rolleth a stone, roll it on himself.
28 A lying tongue hateth truth ; and a flattering mouth work-
eth ruin.
XXV II. Boast not of things of to-morrow; for thou knowest not
what the coming day will bring forth.
2 Let a neighbour praise thee and not thine own mouth — a
stranger and not thine own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty ; but a fool's anger
is heavier than both.
Ch. XXVII. PROVERBS.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger outrageous : but nothing can
withstand envy.
5 Open rebukes are better than concealed love.
6 More faithful are the wounds of a friend ; than the feigned
kisses of an enemy.
7 A full soul loatheth a honey comb : but to a hungry soul
even bitter things are sweet.
8 As a bird when taken hooded from its nest ; so is a man
reduced to slavery, when removed from his country.
9 With myrrh and wine and perfumes the heart is cheered :
but with misfortunes the spirit is broken.
10 Thine own friend and thy father's friend forsake not ; but
when unfortunate go not to the house of thy brother.
Better is a friend near at hand, than a brother far off.
11 Be wise, my son that thy heart may rejoice, and remove
from thee reproachful speeches.
12 When ills approach, a prudent man is hidden : but the
simple pass on to their sorrow.
13 Take away his mantle, for a scorner passed by who wast-
eth the property of others.
14 He who blesseth a friend with a loud voice, rising early,
will appear not unlike one who curseth him.
15 A continual dropping driveth a man out of his house in a
rainy day : and so doth a contentious wife.
16 Boreas is a harsh wind, though it be called by an honour-
able name.
17 Iron sharpeneth iron, but a man exasperateth the face of a
companion.
18 He who planteth a fig tree shall eat of its fruit; and he
who guardeth his master shall be honoured.
19 As faces do not resemble faces : so neither do the thoughts
of men.
20 The grave and destruction are never satisfied : in like man-
ner the eyes of men are insatiable.
He who hath staring eyes, and fools who cannot govern
their tongue ; are an abomination to the Lord.
21 Fire is the trier of gold and silver : but a man is tried by
the mouth of them who praise him.
VOL. III. r
Ch. XXVIII. PROVERBS.
The heart of a transgressor sceketh evils : but a righteous
heart seeketh knowledge. —
22 Though thou shouldst whip a fool publickly and disgrace
him : thou canst not take aAvay his folly.
23 Be careful to know the state of thy flock ; and pay close
24 attention to thy herd : for wealth and power do not continue
with a man forever ; nor can he transmit them from one gene-
ration to another.
25 Take care of the herbage in thy field : mow grass and
26 collect provender from the hills : that thou mayst have sheep
for clothing.
27 Honour the field that thou mayst have lambs.
My son, thou hast sayings from me powerfully conducive
to thy life : and the life of thy servants.
XXVIII. The wicked fleeth when none pursueth : but the
righteous is bold as a lion.
2 Contentions are raised by the sins of the wicked: but a pru-
dent man extinguisheth them.
3 A mighty man by wicked acts oppresseth the poor.
As a sweeping rain is indeed unprofitable, so are they who
4 forsake the law and applaud iniquity : but they who love the
law encompass themselves with a wall.
5 Bad men will not understand judgment: but they who
seek the Lord will be wise in every thing.
6 Better is a poor man who walketh in truth than a rich liar.
7 A wise son keepeth the law ; but he who feedeth prodi-
gality dishonoureth his father.
8 He who increaseth his wealth by usury and unjust gain ;
gathereth it for him who will pity the poor.
9 As for him who turneth away his ear from hearkening to
the law ; even his prayer is an abomination.
10 He who causeth the righteous to wander in an evil way
shall himself fall into destruction.
The upright shall have good things in possession: but
1 1 the unrighteous shall pass by good things and shall not enter
into them.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit. But a poor man
who hath understanding will find him out.
Ch. XXIX. PROVERBS.
12 For helping the righteous there is great glory: but in the
places of the wicked; men are entrapped.
13 He who covereth his wickedness shall not prosper; but he
who confesseth and forsaketh will be beloved.
14 Happy the man who piously feareth all things: but he who
is of an intractable temper will fall into evils.
15 He who ruleth over a poor nation, himself being poor, is a
hungry lion and a ravening wolf.
16 A king straitened in his revenue is a great oppressor: but he
who hateth injustice shall live long.
17 He who is bail for a man in a case of murder, shall be a fit.
gitive, but not in safety.
Correct a son and he will love thee and be an ornament to
thy life. He will not hearken to an unrighteous nation.
18 He who walketh righteously will be helped: but he who
walketh in crooked Avays will be entangled.
19 He who tilleth his own ground shall have plenty of bread;
but he who followeth idleness, shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will be much praised; but the wicked shall
not escape punishment.
21 He who regardeth not the persons of the righteous, is not
good: such a one Λνϋΐ dehver up a man for a morsel of bread.
22 An envious man hasteth to be rich, and knowedi not that
the bountiful shall have mastery over him.
23 He who reproveth a man's ways shall have more thanks
than he who hath a flattering tongue.
24 He who casteth off a father or mother and thinketh that
he doth not sin; is indeed the partner of an impious man.
25 A faithless man judgeth rashly: but he who trusteth in the
Lord will be careful.
26 He who putteth confidence in the boldness of his heart is
a fool: but he who walketh wisely shall be saved.
27 He who giveth to the poor shall not be in want: but he
who tumeth away his eyes shall be indigent.
28 In the places of the wicked, the righteous groan: but by
their destruction, the righteous will be multiplied.
XXIX. Better is a man of experience, than a man who is
stiff'-necked: for when the latter is suddenly burned, there is
no healing him.
Ch. XXIX. PROVERBS.
2 When the righteous are applauded the people will rejoice:
but when the wicked bear rule, men will mourn.
3 When a man loveth wisdom his father is gladdened: but
he who feedeth harlots spendeth his substance.
4 A righteous king raiseth a countiy; but a transgressor
overthroweth it.
5 He who shall provide a net to catch his friend; spreadeth
it for his Own feet.
6 For a mighty transgressor there is a great snare; but the
just shall have joy and gladness.
7 A righteous man is skilled in administering justice to the
poor: but the wicked doth not take due cognisance: nor hath
he a feeling heart for the poor.
8 Men regardless of law, set a city in a flame: but wise men
avert wrath.
9 A wise man shall judge nations: but a fool when angry is
derided and terrifieth not.
10 Men stained with blood hate one who is holy: but the up-
right will make strict inquest for his life.
11 A fool sheweth all his wriith; but a wise man dispenseth
it gradually.
12 When a king hearkeneth to falsehood, aU under him are
transgressors.
13 When creditor and debtor meet each other; the Lord hath
a watch over both.
14 When a king judgeth the poor faithfully; his throne will
be established for a memorial.
15 The rod and reproofs give wisdom: but a child led astray
shameth his parents..
16 When the wicked abound, transgressions are multiplied:•
but when they fall, the righteous are awed.
17 Correct thy son and he will give thee rest; and add honour
to thy life.
18 With a sinful nation an instructor can not continue: but he
who keepeth the law is most happy.
19 A stubborn servant will not be instructed by words : for
though he may understand he will not obey.
20 If thou seest a man hasty in his words: be assured there is
more hope of a fool than of him.
Ch. XXXI. PROVERBS.
21 He who feedeth delicately from his youth, shall be a ser-
vant and at last afflicted with sorrow.
22 A passionate man stirreth up strife: but a furious man is
a digger up of sin.
23 A man's pride will bring him low: but the Lord will glo-
riously support the humble.
24 He who is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: and so
do they, who hear an oath admmistered, if they do not make
discovery.
25 They who fear and reverence men have been supplanted :
but he whose trust is in the Lord shall be gladdened.
Impiety causeth a man to fall: but he who trusteth in the
Lord shall be safe.
26 Many court the favour of princes: but justice cometh to a
man from the Lord.
27 A righteous man is an abomination to an unjust man : and
a straight course is an abomination to a transgressor.
XXXI. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? Such a one is
indeed more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her : such a one hath
12 no need of spoils: for she laboureth for her husband's good
all her life long.
13 Having spun wool and flax she made a useful work with her
14 hands. She was like a merchant vessel which bringeth riches
15 from afar : She arose by night and gave food to her house-
1 6 hold and work to her maids. Having viewed a field she bought
17 it, and with the fruits of her hands planted the purchase. Hav-
ing girded herself tight about the waist, she strengthened her
18 arms for work. And finding that it was good to work, her
19 lamp is not extinguished the whole night. Her elbows she ex-
tendeth over the spindle; and her hands she keepeth at the
20 distaiF. But she opened her hand to the needy; and stretched
21 out her handful to the distressed. Her husband when long
abroad is not concerned for those at home : for all with her
22 are well clothed. She made for her husband double garments;
23 and for herself robes of cotton and purple. And her husband is dis-
tinguished in the gates; whenhesittethin council with the elders
24 of the land. She made sindons and sold girdles to the Chananites.
She opened her mouth sparingly and with propriety; and had
Ch. XXXI. PROVERBS.
25 her tongue in due subjection. She clothed herself with majes-
26 ty and excellence, and enjoyed delights in her latter days. The
gates of her house were kept close shut; andsheeatethnot
27 the bread of idleness. She openeth her mouth with wisdom,
28 and maxims of prudence. Her bounty caused her children to
honour her; for they were rich, and her husband praised her.
29 Many daughters have possessed wealth, many have acted
virtuously: but thou hast surpassed — thou hast excelled all.
30 False are allurements, and vain the beauty of a wife. For a
woman of understanding is blessed. Let her therefore praise the
3 1 fear of the Lord. Give her of the fruits of her hands; and let
her husband be praised in the gates.
ECCLESIASTES.
I. The words of the preacher the son of David, kmg of Israel
in Jerusalem.
2 VANITY of vanities, said the preacher. Vanity of vanities.
All is vanity.
3 What lasting advantage hath a man by all the labour with
4 Avhich he toileth under the sun? One generation passeth away
and another cometh. But the earth hath continually kept its
station.
5 The sun riseth and the sun setteth and cometh round to
6 his place. Rising there he marcheth southward, then wheeleth
7 about to the north. The wind wheeleth in circuits, and in its
circuits it returneth. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea
is not filled. To the place whence the rivers come, thither they
8 return to continue their course. All these considerations are
wearisome. Man cannot recount them : nor can the eye be sa-
tisfied with seeing; nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 What is that which hath been? The very same which shall
be. And what is that which hath been done? The very same
which shall be done : for there is nothing entirely new under
10 the sun. Who can speak and say. Behold this is entirely new.
It hath been already in the ages past which were before us.
1 1 There is no remembrance of former things : and of those
things which shall happen hereafter, there will be no remem-
brance among them who shall be born at a remote period.
Ch. II. ECCLESIASTES.
12 I the preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem; and i
13 applied my heart to seek and make diligent search by wisdom
concerning all the things which are done on the earth. Be-
cause God hath assigned to the sons of men painful employ-
14 ment, that they may be kept employed, I took a view of all
the diiferent sorts of works which are done under the sun.
15 And behold they are all vanity and vexation of spirit. That
Avhich is crooked cannot be made straight, nor can wants be
numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, Behold I am become
great and have made advances in wisdom above all who were
before me in Jerusalem. And I have applied my mind to know
17 wisdom and knowledge. And my mind hath taken a view of
many things — of wisdom and knowledge — of parables and
18 science. I have found by experience that this also is indeed
vexation of spirit.
11. Because by much wisdom there is much knowledge; and
1 he who addeth to his knowledge will add to his sorrow; I said
in my heart, Come now let me try thee with pleasure. Take a
view of that considered as a good. But behold this also is va-
2 nity. To laughter I said, It is madness; and to mirth, What is
this thou art doing?
3 Now I had examined whether my mind could lead my
flesh to wine; and my mind had led it with wisdom, retaining
. a command over pleasure, until I should see of what sort that
good is, which the sons of men are to pursue under the sun,
4 all the days of their life. I enlarged my plan of operations. I
5 built me houses. I planted me vineyards. I made me gardens
6 and orchards and planted therein all sorts of fruit trees. I made
me pools of water, to water from them my blooming nursc-
7 ries. I purchased men servants and maid servants; and had
servants born in my family. And my stock of herds and flocks
8 was great above all who were before me in Jerusalem. I col-
lected also for myself silver and gold and the choicest treasures
of kings and countries. I got me men singers and women
singers, and the delights of the sons of men — a butler and the
9 requisites to entertainments. And I was great and surpassed
all w^ho had been before me in Jerusalem; and still my wisdom
10 continued with me. And Avhatever mine eves desired I with-
Ch. 11. ECCLESIASTES.
held not from them, nor did I restrain my heart from all my
pleasure.
Because my heart had been gladdened with all my labour,
11 (now this was my portion from all my labour) therefore I look-
ed back on all the works which my hands had done, and on
the labour with which I had toiled to execute them; and be-
hold all was vanity and vexation of spirit and there is no last-
ing advantage under the sun.
12 Then I looked back to take a view of wisdom and mad-
ness and folly. In all the particulars which formed this delibe-
13 ration (for who is the man equal to a compleat investigation)
I saw indeed that there is an advantage in wisdom above fol-
14 ly, like the advantage of light above darkness. The wise man's
eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness. Never-
15 theless I knewthat one event will happen to them all. Therefore I
said in my heart, As the same event will happen to me as hap-
, peneth to the fool, why have I studied wisdom? Why com-
muned abundantly with my heart? Because even this is vanity —
16 (since out of an abundance the fool speaketh) — because there
is no remembrance forever of the wise man more than of the
fool (seeing the days are now coming when all shall be for-
17 gotten and the wise must die as well as the fool) therefore I
hated the whole of this life; because the work which was done
under the sun was toilsome to me — because all are vanity and
18 vexation of spirit : and I hated all this labour of mine for
which I am toiling under the sun; because I must leave it to a
man who is coming after me; and who knoweth whether he
19 shall be a wise man or a fool? Now if he hath power over all
my labour for which I have toiled and in which I have dis-
played wisdom under the sun; surely this is vanity.
20 Then I turned about that my heart might state distinctly
in every labour of mine in which I had toiled under the sun —
21 that here is a man whose labour hath been with wisdom and
with knowledge, and with ability; and there is a man to whom,
though he did not labour for him', he shall give his portion.
22 Surely this is vanity and a great vexation — That such is the
case with another man by all his labours and the vexation of
23 his heart with which he toileth under the sun, that all his days
are days of sorrow and his employment grief, and even at nignt
his heart hath no rest. Surely this is vanity.
Ch. III. ECCLESIASTES.
24 (a) Hath not a man something good which he can eat anddrink^
and which he can point out to his soul as a good by his labour?
25 (b) With respect to that I saw indeed that even this is from
the hand of God ; for who can eat or who can drink without
26 him ? For to the man who is good in his sight he hath given
Avisdom and knowledge and joy ; and to the sinner he hath
given the trouble of gathering and heaping up to give to him
who is good in the sight of God. So that this also is vanity and
vexation of spirit.
III. Time is for all things : but there is a particular portion of
2 time for every particular affair under heaven — a time to be born
3 and a time to die — a time to plant and a time to root up what
was planted — a time to kill and a time to heal — a time to pull
down and a time to build up — a time to weep and a time to
4 laugh — a time to mourn and a time to dance — a time to cast
5 away stones and a time to gather stones together — a time to
6 embrace and a time to refrain from embracing — a time to seek
7 and a time to lose — a time to keep and a time to throw away —
a time to rend and a time to sew — a time to be silent and a
8 time to speak — a time to love and a time to hate — a time of
9 war and a time of peace. What is the lasting advantage of the
10 agent from the things in which he laboureth? I have taken a
collective view of all the business which God hath assigned to
11 the sons of men to be exercised therewith. All the things
which he made, considered as a whole, are good in his time.
But with regard to all things considered as o?ie whole, to them
he hath assigned the whole age ; so that no man can find out
12 the work which God hath done from beginning to end. I have
13 found that there is no good in them (I mean in regard to every
man who eateth and drinketh, and can see good in all his la-
bour) if there is not a gift of God that he may be made glad
14 and do good in his life. I have found that all the things which
God hath made shall continue their age; there is no adding to it
nortaking from it; and that God hath acted that they may be aw-
15 ed at his presence. What hath been is now : and what are to be
have already been ; and God will find out him who is persecut-
16 ed : and yet I saw under the sun a place of judgment ; was the
(a) an objection, (b) the answer.
VOL. III. a
Ch. IV. ECCLESIASTES.
Λνίοΐίεά there ? and a place for the just; was the pious there ?
17 Then I «aid in ray heart God will judge the whole class of the
righteous, and the whole class of the wicked. For there is a
time for every thing ; and he is there over all the work.
18 I communed with my heart concerning a saying of the sons
of men, ^' That God distinguisheth themy Now in order to
19 shew that they themselves are beasts, that at least which be-
falleth man, befalleth them ; and that which befalleth the beast
befalleth man. The same event happenedi to both. As the one
dieth, so doth the other. And they have all one breath. What
advantage then hath man over the beast ? None : for all are va-
20 nity. They are all for one place. They were all from dust :
21 and to dust they shall all return. And who hath seen the breath
of the sons of men Λvhether it ascendeth upwards; and the
breath of the beast, whether it descendeth downwards into the
22 earth ? So I saw that there is nothing good in the Avorks of
man, but that by which he can be made glad; for that is his
portion, for who will bring him to see what will be after him ?
IV. Then I turned and took a view of all the different sorts of
oppression under the sun ; and behold the tear of the oppress-
ed and they have no comforter. Though from the hand of op-
2 pressors some have relief; yet others have no comforter. There-
fore I praised the Avhole body of the dead — those who were
3 already dead, above the living — those who are still alive : but
better than both is he who liath never been — who hath not seen
all the evil work which is done under the sun.
4 In the review of labour in general, I took a view in paiti-
cular of manly exertion in executing. Because this causeth a
man to be envied by his neighbour, this therefore is vanity and
5 vexation of spirit. The fool folded his hands and devouring
6 his flesh said, Better is one handful of rest than two handfuls
of labour and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I turned and took a view of a vanity under the sun —
8 Here is a single individual who hath no second ; at least he hath
neither son nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labour.
His eye is not satisfied with riches, yet doth he say, For whom
do I labour and deprive my soul of good ? Surely this is vanity
9 and a sore vexation. Two are better than one. They have a l^et-
10 ter reward for their labour. For if they chance to f^dl the one
Ch. V. - ECCLESIASTES.
can raise up his felloAv. Bat alas for him who is alone, when
11 he falleth and hath not another to raise him up. Again if two
he together they have warmth : but how can one be warm who
12 is alone? Again though one should be strong the two may
withstand him, and a three fold cord cannot easily be broken.
13 Better is a poor and wise subject than an old and foolish
14 king Avho hath not yet learned how to conduct himself; for
15 out of prison he may come to reign. Because even in his own
kingdom he was needy, I took a view of the Avhole body of
the living who were walking under the sun with the youth
16 second in rank Avho is to succeed him. There is no end of all
the people — of all who resorted to them. Yet they who come
last Avill have no joy in him. Surely this also is vanity and
vexation of spirit.
V. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and
let thy sacrifice be a readiness to hear rather than the oblation
of fools. Because they ai'e not sensible that they do amiss, be
2 thou not rash with thy mouth ; nor let thy heart be hasty to
utter a word in the presence of God. Because God is in the
heaven above, and thou art on the earth, let thy words there-
3 fore be few. Because a dream cometh by much temptation,
4 and a fool's voice with many words ; when thou vowest a vow
to God delay not the performance of it. For in fools there is no
5 fixed will. Pay thou therefore what thou vowest. It is better
not to vow, than to vow and not perform. Suffer not thy
6 mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say in the presence of
God, It was an inadvertence, that God may not be provoked
7 to \vrath by thy voice, and destroy the works of thy hands,
because it was Avith a multitude of dreams and vanities, and
many Avords that thou fearest God.
8 If thou seest a frivolous accusation of a poor man, and a
rigorous exaction of judgment and justice in a country, mar-
vel not at the matter. Because there is a high one over a high
one to watch, and high ones are for these things, and the profit
9 of land is for every one, a king is appendant to the cultivated
10 field. A lover of silver cannot be satisfied with silver; but did
any one ever love Avhat the abundance of this produceth ?
11 Surely this is vanity. By an abundance of wealth they who
consume it arc multiplied. And what is the mighty advantage
of the owner from it ? That he hath the first sight of it with
Ch. VI. KCCLESIASTES.
12 his eyes ? The sleep of the slave is sweet whether he eateth
little or much. But the fulness of the rich suifereth him not
to sleep.
13 There is a Aveakness which I have seen under the sun —
14 riches kept by one for his descendant to his own hurt. Yet
these riches acquired with grievous vexation shall perish, and
15 he hath begotten a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As
he came naked out of his mother's womb, he shall turn about
and go as he came. He shall take nothing by his labour to go
16 with him in his hand. Surely this is a grievous weakness;
for as he came, so he must depart. What then is his lasting
17 advantage, for which he laboureth in vain ; and for which all
his days are in darkness and mourning, and much grief and
weakness and repining ?
18 Behold I have seen a good which is comely, namely to
eat and drink, and to have a good enjoyment in all the labour
with which one toileth under the sun, the number of the days
of his life which God hath given him ; for this is his portion.
19 And every man indeed to whom God hath given riches and
wealth, and granted him power to eat thereof, and to take his
portion, hath by means of his being made glad in his labour,
20 this further gift of God, that he will not much remember the
days of his life, because God occupieth him with the joy of
his heart.
VI. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it
2 is common among men — a man to whom God giveth riches
and wealth and glory, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul
of all that he can desire ; but God granteth him not a power
3 to eat thereof. In as much as a stranger is to devour it, this is
vanity and grievous infirmity. Though a man should beget a
hundred children and live many years, if during that multi-
tude of years which his days shall continue, his soul shall not
be satisfied with an enjoyment of good, and he hath got no
burying place, I conclude that an abortive is better than he.
4 Grant that it came in vanity and goeth away in darkness ; with
5 darkness also his name shall be covered ! It indeed never saw
6 the light ; and he never knew rest : it hath an advantage over
him though he had lived the revolutions of a thousand years,
if he never enjoyed good. Do not all go to one place ?
Ch. VII. ECCLESIASTES.
7 All the labour of a man is for the mouth ; yet the appetite
8 will not be satisfied : here then a wise man hath the advantage
over a fool ; since the poor man knoweth that to pass through
9 life, what he sees with the eyes is better for him than to be
Λvandering after appetite, which is indeed vanity and vexation
of spirit.
10 Whatever hath been is now called by its name, and it is
known what man is who cannot contend with one who is
stronger than he.
11 Since there are many arguments to prove the abundance
of vanity; is there any one thing better than another for man?
12 Doth any one know what is good for man in this life? All the
days of his life of vanity he hath indeed done these things un-
der a shade; is there any who can tell him Avhat Avill be after
him under the sun?
VII. A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of
2 death, than a birth day. It is better to go to a house of mourn-
ing than to a house of feasting. As that is the end of every
man therefore the living will improve his understanding.
3 Grief is better than laughter ; for by a sadness of countenance
4 a heart may be made better. The heart of the wise is in a house
5 of mourning; but the heart of fools, in a house of mirth. It
is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to lis-
6 ten to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under a
7 pot, so is the laughter of fools. Surely this also is vanity. Be-
cause oppression distracteth a wise man and destroyeth his
good disposition, the final sentence is better than such a go-
8 vemment. Better is a patient man than one of a haughty spirit.
9 Be not apt to be grieved in spirit; for grief will rest in the
10 bosom of fools. Say not, ΗοΛν happened it that the former days
11 were better than these? For thou hast not inquired wisely
concerning this. Wisdom is good with an inheritance; and it
is an advantage to them who see the sun, that they are in the
12 shade of it. Wisdom is like the shade of money; but the ad-
vantage of the knowledge of wisdom is — it will give life to
13 him who is a follower of it. Contemplate the works of God; for
who can make him straight whom God hath made crooked.
14 In the days of prosperity enjoy good; but consider in the day
of adversity — consider that God hath made the one in due
Ch. VIII. ECCLESIASTES.
proportion to the other, forming a whole, as hath been said,
that man cannot find out any of his ways.
15 In the days of my vanity I took a view of all classes. Here
is a righteous man perishing for his righteous act : there a
16 wicked man continuing in his wickedness. Be not over right-
eous; nor dive too far into wisdom, lest peradventure thou be
17 struck with astonishment. Run not into an excess of wicked-
ness nor become hardened, that thou mayst not die untimely.
18 It is good to restrain thyself in the one case; and surely for the
19 other consideration thou shouldst not pollute thy hand. Be-
cause to them who fear God all things may happen, wisdom
will help the wise man more than ten mighty men who are in
20 the city. Because there is not a righteous man on earth who will
2 1 do good and not commit sin, therefore thou shouldst not pay too
close attention to all the words which the wicked shall utter,
22 that thou mayst not hear thy servant cursing thee. For many
a time he may revile thee and in many Avays vex %liy heart, be-
cause thou perhaps in like manner didst curse others.
23 Having proved all these things by wisdom, I said. Let me
24 investigate the cause. But that was far removed from me; far-
ther than it was. It is indeed a deep depth, who can find it out?
25 I took a circuit with my heart to know and examine care-
fully and to seek wisdom and a mode of calculating, and to
gain a knowledge of a particular folly and disquietude and
26 madness of one destitute of the fear of God; and I find and
can declare, That bitterer than death is that whole class of wo-
men who are prostitutes. Though their heart is nets and their
hands chains, he who is good in the sight of God shall be de-
27 livered from them; but a sinner shall be taken by them. Be-
hold this I found (said the preacher) examining them one by
28 one to find a class which my soul earnestly sought, but I did
not find : though I found one man of a thousand, yet a woman
29 among all these I did not find : but behold this I found, that
God made mankind upright ; but they have found out mam'
classes.
WW. Doth any one know wise men? Doth any one know the
solution of a matter? Wisdom will make his countenance
shine; but one of an unblushing countenance will be hated.
2 Watch the mouth of a king, and in regard to the oath of
Ch. VIII. ECCLESIASTES.
3 God be not impatient. From his presence thou mayst with-
draw. Stay not when he giveth wicked orders; for he will do
4 what he pleaseth, as a king is absolute; and who can say to
5 him, What dost thou? He who keepeth a command will not
acknowledge it to be — a wicked order; but a wise man's heart
knoweth the time of judgment, that — there is a time and a
6 judgment for every thing. Because the man's determination
7 may be much against him — because none knoweth what may
8 happen, who can tell him what may come to pass? No man is
absolute commander over wind to stop the current of it, and
over the day of death he hath no authority; nor is there a dis-
charge in the day of battle; nor can wickedness save him who
is under its sway.
9 Having taken a view of this as a whole, I applied my heart
to eveiy work which is done under the sun — to all those things
10 in which man exerciseth authority over man to his hurt. And
I then saw wicked men carried to their graves, even out of this
holy place; and when they were gone, they were praised in
the city, because they had done as they did. Surely this is va-
il nity. Because those who do evil are not speedily called to an
account, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set
12 in them to do evil. He who sinned continued thenceforward
to do evil, even because of the forbearance shewn to them.
Now as I know that it is good for them who fear God, that
13 they should be awed by his presence; and that it cannot be
Avell Λvith the wicked; and that he who is not awed by the pre-
sence of God cannot prolong his days at ease; this which is
practised on earth is vanity.
14 Because there are righteous men on whom cometh as it
were the work of the wicked; and because there are wicked
men on whom cometh, as it \vere, the work of the righteous,
15 I said that this is also surely vanity; and I praised pleasurable
enjoyment, because there is nothing good for men under the
sun — nothing save eating and drinking and being made glad;
and this one may have conjoined with his labour all the days of
his life which God giveth him under the sun.
16 In all those things to which I applied my heart to know
wisdom and to take a view of the business which is done on
17 the eai'th; because day and night this is never at rest, therefore
Ch. IX. ECCLESIASTES.
I took a view of all the works of God in classes; for man h in-
capable of finding out the whole system of things under the
sun. Let a man labour ever so much in the search he cannot
IX. find it out; and let a wise man say ever so much of knowing he
cannot find it; for this cause I laid this whole system before my
heart, and my heart took a view of it. As the righteous and
the wise and their works are in the hand of God, man indeed
knoweth not what to love or what to hate : with regard to all
2 things before him there is vanity in them all. The same event
happeneth to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good,
and to the bad; to the clean and to the unclean; to him Avho
sacrificeth and to him who sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is
the sinner; as is he who sweareth, so is he who feareth the
3 oath. There is this evil in every thing done under the sun,
that one event happeneth to them all, so that the heart of the
children of men being filled with evil there is an instability in
their heart during their life, and it followeth them to the dead.
4 Because whoever is in society with all the livmg hath hope —
because the dog which is alive is better than the lion which is
5" dead — because they who are alive must know that they shall
die; but the dead are not sensible of any thing and there is no
6 more a portion for them — because the remembrance of these is
forgotten, and their love and their hatred and their envy are al-
ready perished and they have no more forever a portion in
7 any thing done under the sun; come eat thy bread with cheer-
fulness, and drink thy wine with a good heart : because God
8 hath approved of thy works, let thy garments be always white;
9 and let not oil be wanting on thy head : enjoy life also with
the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity,
which are given thee under the sun; for this is thy portion in
this life of thine, and this thy labour with which thou toilest
10 under the sun. Whatever thy hand findcth to do, do it with all
thy might; since there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge,
nor wisdom in the mansion of the dead to which thou must go.
11 Having turned about, I saw under the sun that the race is
not to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty; nay not even
bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding; nor fa-
vour to men of knowledge — that time and chance will happen
to them all as forming one whole. That man indeed no more
Ch. χ. • ECCLESIASTES.
knoweth his time than the fishes which are enclosed in an evil
dredge, or than birds which are caught in a net. Like them the
sons of men are drawn into an evil time when it cometh upon
them suddenly.
13 This also I saw under the sun in regard to wisdom which
14 with me is in high estimation. There was a small city and few
men in it. And there came against it a mighty king who besieged
it and built- great ramparts against it; but he happened to find
15 in it a poor wise beggar, and this man by his wisdom saved
the city; yet no man remembered the class of this poor beg-
16 gar. Now I have said. Wisdom is better than power, yet the
wisdom of this poor man is despised and his words are not re-
17 garded. The words of wise men in a time of rest are more
minded than the shout of men exercising authority in the bus-
18 tics of folly. Wisdom is better than implements of war. One
X. sinner indeed will destroy much good. Dead flies will
2 spoil the best prepared perfumes: but the smallest portion of
3 wisdom is of more value than the greatest glory of folly. The
heart of a wise man is on his right: but the heart of a fool is at
his left. In every way at least when a fool is on his march his
heart will fail him so that all which he shall devise is folly.
4 If the spirit of a ruler rise up against thee, resign not thy
place: for a reconciliation will mollify great ofiences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun as if some-
thing involuntary came forth from the presence of a person in
6 authority. The fool is set in high stations while the rich shall
7 sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horseback and princes
walking like slaves on the ground.
8 He who diggeth a pit may fall into it; and him, who is clear-
9 in g away a hedge, a serpent may bite. He who raiseth stones high
may be overpowered by them; and he who cleareth wood will
10 thereby incur danger. If the axe shall fall, or one blunteth its
edge and redoubled force is to be applied; the advantage will
11 be in favour of the man who hath skill. If a seipent biteth at
12 an interval of charming, there is then no advantage in him who
charmeth. The words of a wise man's mouth are a charm; but
13 the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the
Avords of his mouth is folly and the end of his talk is malicious
14 madness. Though the fool multiplieth word,s, a man doth not.
VOL. III. Η
Ch. XL ECCLESIASTES.
know what the matter is; and what that shall be which will fol-
15 low who can tell him. The labour of the foolish will tire them
like that of one who knoweth not the way to a city.
16 Alas for thee, Ο city, whose king is a novice and whose
17 chiefs eat in the morning. Happy thou, Ο land, whose king-
is a son of freemen and whose chiefs eat in due season for
18 strength: and that they may not be put to shame. By slothful-
ness the roof will fall, and by idleness of hands a house will
19 become leaky, so as to excite a derision of them who are pro-
viding bread and wine and oil that they may be regaled while
20 hving. But to the subjection of money all things will be obe-
dient. Therefore curse not a king in thy mind, and in the
inmost recesses of thy bed-chamber curse not a rich man: for
a bird of the air will carry thy voice, and that which hath
wings will tell thy saying.
XI. Send away thy bread on the face of the water ; for after
2 many days thou shalt find it. Give a portion to seven and
even to eight; for thou knowest not what evil may be on the
3 earth. When the clouds are filled with rain they empty them-
selves on the earth: and if a tree falleth, whether it be to the
south or north, in the place where it shall fall there it shall be.
4 He who observeth the wind will not sow; and he Λνΐιο looketh
at the clouds will not reap. In these cases there is no knowing
5 which way the wind will blow. As thou knowest not how
bones are formed in tlie womb of her who is with child; so
thou canst not know the works of God — all that he shall do
6 forming one system. In the morning sow thy seed; and in the
evening let not thy hand forbear; for thou knowest not Avhich
Λνϋΐ succeed, whether this or that; and should both prosper
alike, they are good.
7 Light is indeed sweet, and it is grateful to the eyes to view
the solar system; yet because, though a man may live many
years and be delighted in them all, he will still remember that the
9 days of darkness are many; that all that is coming is vanity;
rejoice then, Ο young man, in thy youth, and 'let thy heart
cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy
heart spotless and not by the sight of thine eyes, and know that
10 for all these things God will bring thee to judgment. There-
fore remove wrath from thy heart and put away evil from thy
fiesh.
Ch. XII. ECCLESIASTES.
XII. Because youth and thoughtfulness is vanity, therefore
remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; before the evil
2 days come and the years draw nigh in which thou shalt say, I
have no pleasure in them. So long as the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars are not involved in darkness, the
3 clouds will return after rain. When once the guards of the
house are shaken, and the men of valour put to flight, and the
4 grinding maids are idle, because reduced to a few, then shall
the maids who look out at the windows be darkened, and
the doors of the market place will be shut at the feebleness of
the voice of the grinding maid, which will be raised to the
5 plaintive tone of the young ostrich; and all the daughters of
the song will be brought low; and they Avill look up to the
height and there are terrors in the way. Though the almond
ti'ee shall have bloomed and the locust hath been fattened and
the caper bush is shed, because the man is gone to bis long
home, therefore the mourners have made a circuit in the mar-
6 ket place. Until the silver cord can be wound up no more,
and the golden bowl be broken, and the bucket broken at the
Avell, and the wheel on the well shall run down Avith it, and
7 dust return to dust as it was, and the spirit return to God who
8 gave it, vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all things are
vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, because he
taught mankind wisdom; that the ear might find what is comely
10 from parables, the preacher made diligent search to find pleas-
1 1 ing words and a writing of rectitude — words of truth. The
words of the wise are like goads and nails ready made, which
12 have been laid up in repositories from one shepherd to ano-
ther. What remaineth of them, my son, keep thou. There is
no end of making many books. And much study is a weari-
ness to the flesh.
_3 As a conclusion of the discourse, hear thou the whole sum
and substance. — Fear God and keep his commandments: for
, this conclusion every man should draw. That God will bring
the whole work into judgment in every case not taken notice
of, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
Ch. I. 11. THE SONG OF SOLOMON.
A Song of Songs which is Solomon'' s.
2 LET him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.
3 Because thy breasts are better than wine; and the fragrance
of thine odours is above all perfumes — Thy name out-poured
oil, therefore the virgins have loved thee. Thou art drawn: after
thee we will run to the fragrance of thy perfumes.
The king brought me into his inner apartment.
Let us rejoice and be gladdened by thee. We will love thy
breasts better than wine: rectitude hath loved thee.
5 I am brown but comely, Ο daughters of Jerusalem; like
the tents of Kedar — like the curtains of Solomon. Look not on
me, because I am of a dark complexion — Because the sun hath
looked upon me. My mother's children quarrelled with me —
They made me a keeper ii\ the vineyards. Mine own vineyard
I did not watch.
1 Tell me thou whom my soul loveth, where thou tendest
thy flock — Where thou causest it to rest at noon, perhaps I
may be like a wanderer among the tents of thy companions.
8 If thou wouldst not make thyself known, Ο fairest of wo-
men; go out by thyself in the track of the ftock; and feed thy
kids by the shepherds tents.
9 To that steed of mine in Pharao's chariot I have compared
10 thee, my love! What! thy cheeks are beautiful as a turtle
1 1 dove's: and thy neck as strings of pearls. We will make for
thee suitable figures of gold with spangles of silver.
12 While the king was at his banquet, my spikenard sent
13 forth its odour. My dear brother is to me a nosegay of stacte:
14 it shall be lodged in my bosom. My dear brother is to me a
cluster of the cypress, in the vineyards of Engaddi.
15 Behold thou art fair, my love; behold thou art fair. Thine
eyes are doves.
16 Behold thou art comely, my dear brother — beautiful in-
deed! Near our bed thou wast shaded.
17 The beams of our houses are cedar. Cypress our vaulted
cielings.
11. I am a flower of the field, -and a lilly of the vallies.
2 As a lilly among thorns, so is my consort among the daugh-
ters.
3 As the citron tree among the trees of tlie forests; so is my dear
Ch. III. SOLOMON'S SONG.
brother among the youths. In its shade I took great delight and
4 sat, and its fruit was sweet to my taste. Ο conduct me to the
5 house of wine, and order for me what I love. Strengthen with
perfumes — strew around me citrons, for I am wounded with
6 love. Let his left hand be under my head, and his right em-
brace me!
7 I have adjured you, Ο daughters of Jerusalem, by the
powers and virtues of the field, that you stir not up nor awake
my love till she please.
8 Π. IT is the voice of my dear brother! lo he cometh, bounding
over the mountains — skipping over the hills. My dear brother
9 is like a roe; or a young hart on the mountains of Baithor. LoJ
he is behind our wall, looking in at the windows, taking a
10 near view through the lattice. My dear brother addressing me
saith, " Arise my love, my fair one, my dove! For lo! the win-
11 ter is past — the rain is over: is gone. The flow^ers appear on
12 the earth — the pruning season is come. The voice of the tur-
13 tie is heard in our land. The fig tree hath put forth its green
figs: the vines are in bloom — they have shed a fragrance.
14 Arise, come my beloved, my fair one, my dove. Yes, come
thou dove of mine: in the shelter of the rock near the wall.
Shew me thy face and let me hear thy voice: for thy voice is
sweet and thy countenance comely."
15 Catch for us the little foxes, that spoil vines: for our vines
16 are in blossom. My dear brother is mine and I am his: he is
17 feeding among the lillies. Till the day blow fresh and the
shades be removed. Return — Be, Ο my dear brother, like a
roe, or a young hurt on the caverned mountains.
III. By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loved.
I sought him but did not find him. I called him but he made
2 me no answer. I will rise now and take a circuit in the cit}^ —
in the places of publick resort and in the streets; and seek him
whom my soul loveth. I sought him but did not find him.
3 The watchmen who take their rounds in the city, met me.
4 Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It w^as but a little while
after I parted from them, till I found him whom my soul lov-
eth. I took hold of him and did not let him go till I brought him
to my mother's house and into tlie chambers of her who con-
Ch. IV. SOLOMON'S SONG.
5 ceived me. I charged you, Ο daughters of Jerusalem by the
powers and viitues of the field, not to stir up nor awake my
love till he please.
III. WHAT is this coming up from the wilderness ; like a
column of smoke, fuming with myrrh and incense made of all
the perfumer's powders <*
7 It is the palanquin of Solomon, three score chiefs of the
8 chiefs of Israel are around it. All swordsmen expert in Avar.
Every man with his sword on his thigh, for fear of danger by
9 night. King Solomon had made himself a palanquin of the
\0 wood of Libanus. Its columns he made of silver, and his sofa
was of gold. Its canopy Avas purple, and its inside carpeted
with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 Ο daughter of Sion go forth and view king Solomon ; in
the crown with which his mother crowned him ; on the day
of his espousals —
IV. Even on the day of the gladness of his heart. Behold,
thou ait fair, my love ! Behold thou art fair ! Thine eyes are
doves, now thy veil is removed ! thy hair is like the flocks of
2 goats which are seen from mount Galaad : thy teeth like the
flocks of shorn sheep ; which have just come up from the wash-
ing pool : they are all twins and there is not one defective
3 among them. Thy lips are like a braid of scarlet and thy speech
is graceful : as the skin of a pomegranate, so are thy cheeks,
4 now thy veil is removed. Thy neck is like the tower of Da-
vid, which was built for an armoury : on it are hung a thou-
5 sand shields ; all the javelins of the worthies. Thy two breasts
are like two twin fawns of a roe ; which are browzing among
6 lillies. Till the day breeze spring up and the shades are re-
moved, I will go by myself to the mountain of myrrh, and to
7 the hill of frankincense. Thou art altogether fair, my love;
and there is no blemish in thee.
IV. COME from Libanus, my spouse ; come from Liba-
nus. Thou canst come, yes come safely from the top of Pis-
tis — from the summit of Sanir and Hermon — from lions dens,
9 from the leopards mountains. Thou hiist ravished my heart,
my sister spouse : thou hast ravished my heart with a glance
Ch. V. SOLOMON'S SONG.
10 of thine eyes — with an endearing turn of thy neck. How beau-
tiful are thy breasts, my sister spouse ! how much more pleas-
ing than wine are thy breasts ! and the smell of thy garments,
1 1 than all spices ! thy lips, my spouse, drop as a honey comb :
honey and milk flow from thy tongue : and the fragrance of
12 thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. Thou art an en-
closed garden, my sister spouse: a close shut garden; a sealed
13 fountain. Thy productions are a paradise of pomegranates
with delicious fruits ; aromatic plants with the varieties of bal-
14 sams — spikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon; with
all kinds of trees of incense — myrrh, aloth with all the prin-
15 cipal spices. A garden fountain and a well of living water,
flowing with gentle murmurs from Libanus.
16 Awake Ο north wind, come also, Ο south wind and blow
gently through my garden, and let my aromatic spices flow."
Let my dear brother come down to his garden ; and taste the
delicious fruits thereof.
V. I have come to my garden, my sister spouse : I have ga-
thered my myrrh with my spices : I have eaten my bread with
my honey ; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, Ο
friends ; drink — yes drink plentifully Ο brethren.
V. I SLEEP ; but my heart is awake. The voice of my
dear brother ! he knocketh at the door ! " Open to me, my
sister, my dove, my consecrated one ! for my head is filled
3 with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night." I have
put off my garment ; how can I put it on ? I have washed
4 my feet ; how can I defile them ? My dear brother withdrew
his hand from the hole in the door. Whereupon my bow-
5 els yearned for him. I rose to open for my dear brother ; my
hands dropped myrrh ; and my fingers myrrh plenteously
d on the handles of the bar. I opened for my dear brother.
He was gone ! my soul melted for the speech of him. I sought
him but did not find him : I called him but he made me no
7 answer. They who go the rounds in the city met me. They
smote me — they wounded me. The keepers of the walls took
8 my veil from me. I adjured you, Ο daughters of Jerusalem
by the powers and virtues of the field. If you found my dear
brother — PFhat should you tell him ? Tell him that I am sick
of love.
Ch. VI. SOLOMON'S SONG.
9 " What is thy dear brother more than another brother, Ο
fairest of women ? What is thy dear brother more than ano-
ther brother, that tliou hast thus adjured us ?"
11 My dear brother is white and ruddy, he is the chiefest
among tens of thousands. His head is gold of Kephas ; his
12 flowing locks black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by
1 3 streams of water — milk white doves sitting by streams. His
cheeks are like beds of spices emitting perfumes ; his lips are
14 lillies distilling myrrh plenteously. His hands are of gold, finely
turned, beset with chrysolites : his body, an ivory cabinet on
15 a sapphire stone : his legs, pillars of marble fixed on pedestals
of gold: his countenance like Libanus, majestic as the cedars:
16 his mouth is sweetness itself. He is altogether lovely. Such is
my dear brother, and such my love, Ο daughters of Jerusalem.
VI. "Where did thy dear brother go, Ο fairest of women?
Whither did thy dear brother bend his course; that we may
seek him with thee?"
2 My dear brother went down to his garden to the beds of
3 spices; to feed in the garden and to gather lillies. I am my dear
brother's and he is mine; he is feeding among the lillies!
4 Thou my consort, art beautiful as Terzah; comely as Jeru-
5 salem; dazzling as embattled hosts! Turn thine eyes aside
from me for they have transported me. Thy hair is like a flock
6 of goats which are seen on mount Galaad: thy teeth like
flocks of shorn sheep, just come up from washing: all twins
and there is not one defective among them: thy lips are like a
7 braid of scarlet, and thy speech is graceful. Thy cheek is like
the downy skin of a pomegranate now thy veil is removed.
8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, an^ virgins
9 without number: one is my dove, my consecrated one. One is
her mother's only child — the darling of her who bore her.
Daughters viewed her — nay queens and even concubines will
10 hail her happy and thus extoU her. " Who is she that is look-
ing out like the morning; fair as the moon, distinguishable as
the sun, and dazzling as embattled hosts."
VI. 11 I WENT down to the garden of nuts to look at the
productions of the valley: to seek whether the vine had bnd-
Ch. VII. VIII. SOLOMON'S SONG.
12 (led or the pomegranate blossomed: I am there to grant thee
my breasts. My soul did not recollect this. It made me like
the chariots of Aminadab.
13 Return, return, Ο Sunamite! return, return that we may
see theel
What would you see in the Sunamite, who is coming like
the moving bands of an army?
VII. How beautiful were thy steps in thy sandals, Ο daugh-
ter of Nadab? The infoldings of thy loins are like jewellery, tlic
2 work of an artist: thy clasp is a well turned goblet, not desti-
tute of mingled wine: thy body is like a heap of wheat encom-
3 passed about with lillies: thy two breasts are like two twin
4 fawns of a roe; thy neck is like a tower of ivor3\ Thine eyes
like the pools at Esebon by the gates of the daughter of many:
thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards
5 Damascus: thy head is like Carmel and the tresses of thy head
like Purpura.
The king is detained in the antichamber!
6 How beautiful thou art! and how sweet! Ο my love! hovv^
7 delightful! In respect to thy stateliness, thou hast been com-
pared to the palm tree, and thy breasts to its clusters. I said,
8 I will climb the palm tree — I will clasp its topmost boughs;
and thy breasts shall be now like the clusters of the vine; and
the smell of thy nose like citrons; and the roof of thy moutl)
like choice wine —
9 Which is poured out rightl}• for my dear brother properlv
10 adapted with my lips and my teeth. I am my dear brother's;
11 and towards me is his desire. Come, my dear brother, let us
12 go out to the fields. Let us lodge in the villages: let us get up
early to the vineyards: let us see whether the vine is budded:
whether the young grape has made its appearance: whether the
3Domegranates arc in blossom. There I will grant thee m.y
13 breasts. The mandrakes have shed a fragrance: and in our
hoards are all manner of delicious fruits, newly gathered as
well as old. For thee, my dear brother I have kept them. Ο
VIII. that thou, my dear brother, hadst sucked the breasts of
my mother; meeting thee abroad I could kiss thee and not be•
2 despised; I could take thee and conduct thee to my mother's
house; and to the himost apartment of her who conceived mo.
VOL. HI. I
Ch. VIII. SOLOMON'S SONG.
I could cause thee to drink spiced wine of the juice of my po-
3 megranates; his left hand might be under my head and his
right embrace me.
4 I have charged you, Ο daughters of Jerusalem, by the pow-
ers and virtues of the field; that you stir not up nor awake my
love till she please.
VII. 5 WHO is this coming up cloathed in white leaning on
her beloved?
Under a citron tree I awaked thee. It was there thy mother
bare thee. There she who brought thee forth suffered the pangs
of childbirth.
6 Ο set me as a seal on thy heart — as a seal on thine arm: for
love is strong as death; jealousy inflexible as Hades: its wings
are wings of fire — its flames —
7 Much water cannot quench love; nor can floods drown it.
Though a man give all his substance for love, he may be tho-
roughly despised.
8 Our sister is little and hath no breasts. What can we do
for our sister on the day when she shall be demanded in mar-
9 riage. If she be a wall we will build on her silver turrets, and if
she be a door we will line her with boards of cedar.
10 I am a wall and my breasts are turrets. I ■was in their view
1 1 as one who had found favour. Solomon had a vineyard at Bee-
lamon, he let this vineyard of his to tenants, a man is to give
12 him a thousand pieces of silver for its fruit. My vineyard which
is before me shall continue to be mine. Solomon shall have the
thousand pieces of silver, and they ΛνΙιο take care of its fruits,
two hundred.
13 Thou who art sitting in the gardens, companions are wait-
14 ing thy voice. Let me hear it —
15 Away, my dear brother, and be like a roe; or a young hart
on the mountains of spices.
Ch. I. ESAIAS.
I. I. A vision which Esaias son of Amos sow, Cwhich he saw
respecting Judea and Jerusalem) in the reign qfOzias, andJoa-
tham and Achaz and Hezekias, who reigned over Judea.
2 HEARKEN, Ο heaven! and hear Ο earth! what the Lord
hath spoken.
"I have begotten children and brought them up; and
3 they have rebelled against me. The ox kno\veth his owner,
and the ass his master's crib; but Israel did not know me.
And this people have not regarded me."
4 Ah! sinful nation — people full of sins! vile race! iniquitous
children! you have utterly forsaken the Lord; and provoked to
5 wrath the Holy One of Israel. What! must you persisting in ini-
6 quity be smitten still more? The whole head is sick, and the
whole heart faint: from the feet to the head, there is no soundness
therein. Is it not, here a wound, there a bruise, there a putrefying
7 sore? there is no applying poultice, nor oil, nor bandages. Your
land is a desert: your cities are burnt with fire. As for yourcoun-
tr}^, before your eyes strangers are devouring it; and it is laid
8 waste, being subdued by foreign tribes. Must the daughter
of Sion be left as a shed in a vineyard: and as a lodge in a gar-
9 den of cucumbers — as a city taken by siege? Had not the Lord
of Hosts left us a seed, we should have been as Sodom and
10 made like Gomorra. Hear a word of the Lord, Ο chiefs of
Sodom! Attend to the law of God, ye people of Gomoira!
"What is the m-ultitude of your sacrifices to me? saith the
.1 1 Lord: I am cloyed with whole burnt ofterings of rams: in the
fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats I have no delight;
12 nor should you come to appear before me: for who hath re-
quired these at your hands? You shall no more be admitted to
13 tread my court. Though you bring fine flour; it is a vain in-
cense — it is an abomination to me. Your new moons and
sabbaths and great day I cannot endure: your fasting and cessa-
tion from labour; and your new moons and your festivals my
14 soul hateth. You are become loathsome to me; I will no longer
15 remit your sins. When you stretch forth your hands, I will
turn mine eyes from you: and though you multiply prayer,
I Avill not hearken to you: for your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash and become clean: remove iniquities from your souls;
in my presence, cease from your evil deeds; learn to do good;
Ch, II. ESAIAS.
17 seek judgment; deliver him who is injured; administer jus-
tice to the orphan, and plead the cause of the widow: then
18 come — (let our controversy be brought to issue, saith the Lord)
and though your sins be as a purple stain; I will make you
white as snow — though they be as a stain of scarlet; I \ν'ύ\ make
19 you Avhite as λνοοί. If you indeed be willing and will hearken
20 to me, you shall eat the good things of the land: but if you re-
fuse and hearken not to me, the sword shall devour you; for ,
the mouth of the Lord hath spoken these words."
21 How is the faithful city become a harlot? Sion that was full
of justice! In it righteousness made its abode; but now murder-
22 ers. Your silver is not pure: thy vintners mix the wine with
23 water. The chiefs are rebellious; associates of thieves: they
love gifts; they seek rewards: to orphans they do notadminister
24 justice; and to the cause of widows they do not attend. There-
fore thus saith the sovereign Lord of hosts.
'' Alas for the rulers of Israel! for my wrath against these
adversaries shall not abate. On these enemies of mine I Avill
25 execute judgment: and I will bring my hand over thee, and
purify thee with fire. Them who are disobedient I will destroy:
26 ahd I will take away from thee all transgressors, and establish
thy judges as at the first: and thy counsellors as at the begin-
ning: and after these things thou shalt be called The city of
27 Righteousness^ The faithful metropolis^ Sion. For in the exer-
28 cise of judgment her captivity shall be saved: and in the exer-
cise of mercy, the lawless and sinful shall be crushed together;
and they who have forsaken the Lord shall be utterly destroyed:
29 for they shall be exposed to shame for the idols on which they
doted; as they have been for the gardens which they desired.
30 For they shall belikean ilex, which hath shed its leaves; and like
31a garden which hath no water: and their strength shall be like
tow; and their works like sparks of fire: and the lawless and sin-
ful shall be burned up together; and there shall be no extin-
i^uisher."
II. 11. The word which came to Esaias, son of Amos concern-
ing Jiidea and concerning Jerusalem.
2 BECAUSE in the last days, the mount of the Lord will
be conspicuous ; and the house of God will be on the top
Ch. II. ESAIAS.
of mountains ; and exalted above the hills : therefore all the
3 nations will come to it. Many nations indeed, will go saying,
" Come, let us go up to the mount of the Lord ; and to
the house of the God of Jacob. And he will teach us his way,
and we will walk therein."
For from Sion shall go forth a law ; and the word of the
4 Lord from Jerusalem. And he will judge among the nations;
and work conviction in many a people : and they shall beat
their swords into plough shares ; and their spears into prun-
ing hooks : and nation shall not lift up a sword against nation ;
nor shall they learn war any more.
5 Now therefore, Ο house of Jacob ; come, let us walk in
6 the light of the Lord. For he hath forgiven his people, the
house of Israel.
(J) " Because their land was filled as at first with divina-
tions ; like that of the Philistines and many strange children
7 Avere born to them — for their country was filled with silver
and gold, and there was no counting their treasures; and their
land was filled with horses, and there was no end to their cha-
8 riots ; and the land was filled with abominations, the \\ ork-
manship of their own hands ; and they worshipped the things
.9 which their fingers had made, and the commoner bowed down
and the noble humbled himself; therefore I will not forgive
them." —
10 "Now therefore go into the rocks and hide yourselves in
the earth, from the tremendous presence of the Lord ; and from
the glory of his majesty, when he shall arise, to crush the land."
11 *' For the eyes of the Lord are lofty; but man is low; and
the loftiness of these men shall be humbled ; and the Lord
12 alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of
hosts is against every scorner and haughty man ; and against
13 every one high and lofty, and they shall be humbled : even
against every of those high towering cedars of Lebanon ; and
14 against every oak of Basan; and against every lofty mountain;
15 and against every hill that is high ; and against every stately
16 tower; and against every high raised wall ; and against every
ship of the sea ; and against every ensign of beauteous ships :
(J) Jehovah.
Ch. III. ESAIAS.
17 and e\'ery man shall be humbled ; and the haughtiness of
these men shall fall ; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in
18 that day. Then will they hide all these handiworks, carr}ang
19 them into caverns and clefts of the rocks, and into the caves
of the earth, from the tremendous presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his majesty, when he shall arise to crush
20 the lands. For on that day men will cast to the bats their abo-
minations both of silver and gold, which they made to worship
21 vanities ; that they may go into holes of the flinty rock — nay
^ into the very clefts of the rock, from the tremendous pre-
sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when
he shall arise to crush the land.
III. Behold now the Sovereign Lord of hosts will remove,
from Jerusalem and from Judea, all stay and support of every
2 kind — the stay of bread and the stay of water ; the giant and
mighty man and warrior ; judge and proj)het ; instructor and
3 elder ; the captain of fifty, and honourable counsellor ; the
4 skilful architect and intelligent scholar : and I Λνϋΐ make boys
5 their princes ; and scorners shall rule over them. And upon
one another the people will fall foul, and justle every man
against his neighbour — the boy against the elder and the base
against the honourable.
6 Because a man will take hold of his brother, or the head
of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing be thou
our leader, and let me be supplied with food under thee."
7 " Therefore on that day he will answer and say, I will not be
thy leader, for in my house there is neither bread nor raiment,
I will not be the leader of this people."
8 Because Jerusalem is forsaken and Judea is fallen there-
fore their tongues concur with their transgression. They dis-
believe the things relating to the Lord. Because their glory is
9 now humbled; and the shame of their countenance is risen up
against them : their sin therefore, like the Sodomites, they
proclaimed and openly avowed. Alas for their souls ! because
they have counselled an evil counsel against themselves, say-
10 ing, " Let us bind the just one, for he is disagreeable to us;"
11 let them therefore eat the fruits of their deeds. Alas for the
Avicked ! according to the ^vorks of his hands evils shall befal
Ch. IV. ESATAS.
12 him. Ο my people ! your task masters glean you; and exact ors
tyrannize over you. Ο my people! They who call you happy lead
1 3 you astray; and disturb the path of your feet.But the Lord will now
14 arise to plead his cause; and he will arraign his people. The Lord
will himself come to a trial with the elders of the people and
with their chiefs : "Why have you burned up my vineyard?
15 And why is the plunder of the poor in your houses? Why do
you injure my people; and cover with shame the face of the
poor.
16 Thus saith the Lord, Because the daughters of Sion are
haughty and have walked with outstretched neck and wanton
eyes, trailing with them in their gait flowing robes, and mov-
17 ing in set pace with their feet; therefore God will humble the
princely daughters of Sion and the Lord will expose their form
18 to view. On that day the Lord will take away the finery of their
19 attire, the cauls and the curls and the crescents, the solitaire
and the ornament of the brow, and the gorgeous wreathed tiar,
and the necklaces and the bracelets, and the zone and the
rings for the fingers, and the ornaments for the right arms,
and the ear-rings and the robes with purple borders, and those
the middle of which is purple, and the dresses worn at home,
and the Laconian gauzes and cotton robes, and those of purple
and scarlet and cotton, embroidered with gold and purple; and
24 the summer sophas : and instead of perfumes there shall be
ashes ; and instead of a girdle thou shalt be girded with rushes;
and instead of a golden head-dress thou shalt have baldness,
on the account of thy doings; and instead of the purple robe
25 thou shalt gird on sackcloth. And thy son the most beautiful
whom thou lovest shall fall by the sword; and yoiu' mighty
26 men shall fall by the sword and be laid low; and your ward-
robes shall moum; and thou shalt be left solitary and shalt sit
Ιλ'^. on the ground; and seven women shall lay hold on one
man, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own
raiment, let us only be called by thy name : take thou away
our reproach."
2 " But in that day God will with glorious counsel shine on
3 the land, to exalt and dignify the remnant of Israel. And it
shall come to pass that what is left in Sion, and what is left in
Jerusalem shall be called Holv. Namelv all who arc enrolled
Ch. V. ESAIAS.
4 for life in Jerusalem. Because the Lord will wash away the
filth of the sons and the daughters of Sion, and cleanse the
blood entirely from among them; by a spirit of judgment and
5 a spirit of burning; therefore when he shall come, every part
of Sion and all around it shall be overshadowed by day with
a cloud as of smoke, and by night with that of the light of
6 blazing fire; and with all this glory it shall be covered; and
this will be a shade from heat, and it shall be in a shelter and
covert from storm and rain."
V. III. Let me sing for the Beloved^ a song of my Beloved to his
vineya?'d.
THE beloved had a vineyard on a mountain in a rich soil,
2 " and I hedged it around and trenched it; and planted it with
the vine of Sorek ; and in the midst of it built a tower, and
hewed out therein a wine lake ; and waited for its producing
grapes, and it produced poisonous berries.
3 " Now therefore, Ο inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of
4 Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could
I do for my vineyard that I have not done for it? Because I
expected that it would produce grapes, and it hath produced
5 poisonous berries; now therefore I will tell you, what I pur-
pose to do with my vineyard ; I will take away the hedge there-
of, and it shall be exposed to plunder ; and I will demolish its
6 wall^ and it shall be for a common walk ; and I will abandon
my vineyard that it may neither be pruned nor digged; and
brambles shall overrun it as a Λvaste ; and I will give a charge
7 to the clouds not to shed rain upon it. For the vineyard of the
Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel ; and the men of Juda his
beloved plant. I waited for their executing justice, but they
committed injustice, and promoted not righteousness, but an
outcry.
8 Woe unto them who join house to house, and who arc
bringing field nearer to field, that they may take something
9 from their neighbour. Are you alone to dwell in the land ? For
these things have come to the eai's of the Lord of Hosts. For
though there be many houses they shall be for desolation —
though great and fair, there shall be no inhabitants therein.
10 For the ground worked by ten yoke of oxen will not yield a
bath of wine ; and he who sowcth six measures shall not raise
three.
Ch. V. ESAIAS.
11 ΛΥοο to them, who rise early to follow strong drink, and
continue at it till late at night; for the wine will inflame them.
12 For with kithara and psaltery, tabors and pipes, they drink
wine; but they regard not the works of the Lord, nor consider
13 the operations of his hands. Therefore my people are become
captives, because they did not know the Lord ; and multitudes
14 have died of famine and thirst; and Hades hath enlarged its
appetite, and opened its mouth, that there may be no want of
room ; and down shall go the honourable and the great, and
15 the rich and the pestilent men of the land. The commoner shall
be humbled; and the noble dishonoured; and the lofty eyes
16 shall be brought down ; and the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted
in judgment; and God, the Holy One, shall be glorified by righ-
17 teousness ; and tliey who have been plundered shall be fed like
bulls, and lambs shall graze the waste places of them who have
been removed.
18 Woe unto them who draw out sins as for a long cable ; and
19 iniquities as for an ox chain: who say, *' Let what he is to do
approach speedily that we may see ; and let the counsel of the
Holy One of Israel come that we may know it."
20 Woe to them who call evil good ; and good evil — who put
darkness for light, and light for darkness ; who put bitter for
sweet ; and sweet for bitter.
21 Woe to them who are wise in their own conceit, and in
their own eyes prudent.
22 Woe to your mighty men who drink wine; and to your prin-
23 ces who mingle strong drink: who justify the wicked for re-
24 wards; and deprive tlie just of his right. For this cause, as
stubble will be set on fire by a coal, and consumed by a ne-
glected flame; their root shall be like touchwood, and their
blossom shall ascend like dust: for they desired not the law of
the Lord of Hosts: but provoked to wrath the manifestation of
■25 the Holy One of Israel. Wherefore the Lord of Hosts was in-
censed against his people, and he stretched out his hand against
them and smote them: and the mountains were convulsed, and
their carcasses were as dung in the high, way: and for all this
his anger was not turned away; but still his hand is high.
26 Therefore he will erect a standard among the nations far ofi;
and summon them from the extremitv of the earth: and be'
VOL. III. Κ
Ch. VI. ESAIAS.
27 hold! with speed they are coming swiftly. They will not hun-
ger, nor will they be weary: they will not slumber, nor lie
down to sleep; nor shall their girdles be loosed from their
28 loins, nor the latchets of their sandals broken. Their arrows
are sharp; and their bows ai'e bent: the hoofs'' oF their horses
have been accounted as flint, and the wheels of their chariots
29 are like a whirlwind. They growl like lions, and are at hand
like young lions. He will seize and roar like a wild beast and
drive out the people, and there shall be none to deliver them.
30 On that day he will roar against them like the roaring of the
billowy sea; and they will look upwards to the heaven and down
on the earth; and lo! distressful darkness in their tribulation.
A solemn Vision,
VI. IV^. IN the year in which Ozias the king died I saw the
Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; and the house was filled
2 with his glory. And seraphs stood around him, each having six
wings; and with two they covered the face, and with two they
3 covered the feet, and two they used in flying. And they cried
one to another and said,
" Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is
filled with his glory."
4 And the lintel of the door was shaken with the sound of their
5 cry, and the house was filled with smoke. Whereupon I said,
Ah! woe is me! (for I was confounded) for being a man, and
-having unclean lips; and dwelling among a people of unclean
6 lips, I have seen with mine eyes the king the Lord of Hosts.
Then one of the seraphs was sent to me and he had in his hand
7 a live coal which he had taken from the altar with the tongs.
And having touchied my lips he said, Behold this hath touch-
8 ed thy lips, and it will take away thine iniquities and purge away
thy sins. Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying. Whom
9 shall I send? And who will go to this people? And I said, Be-
hold, here am I: send me. And he said.
Go and say to this people; hearing you shall hear, though
you may not understand: and seeing you shall see, though you
•10 may not perceive: for the heart of this people is stupefied; and
their ears are dull of hearing; and they have shut their eyes,
that ibr a while they may not see with their eyes; and hear vyith
Ch. VIL ESAIAS.
their ears; and understand with their hearts; and return that I
may heal them.
11 Whereupon I said, For how long? Ο Lord! And he said,
Until cities be wasted so as not to be habitable; and houses,
so that there be no men; and the land be left utterly desolate:
12 And after this God will remove the men far away.
They indeed who are left in the land shall be multiplied;
13 for still about the tenth is in it; and shall again be for a prey,
and be like the ilex and like the oak when it hath fallen from its
station.
VII. V. IN the days of Achaz the son of Joatham, the son of
Ozias king of Judah, Rasin king of Aram and Phakee son of
Romelias king of Israel came up against Jerusalem to war
2 against it, but could not lay close siege to it. When the house
■ of David was informed that Aram had confederated with
Ephraim, the heart of the king and the heart of his people was
3 moved, as a tree in the forest is shaken by the wind. Whereup-
on the Lord said to Esaias, Go out and meet Achaz, thou and
4 Forsaken-jasuh thy son, at the pool on the upper road to the
fuller's field, and thou shalt say to him.
Take heed and be quiet; be not terrified, nor let thy soul
be dismayed on the account of these two smoak in g firebrands-^:
for when my fierce wrath is come I Vv ill again heal.
5 And as for the son of Aram and the son of Romelias; be-
6 cause they have taken evil counsel, saying, Let us go up to
Judea and confer with the people and bring them into our
7 measures; and let us make the son of Tabeel king over it, thus
saith the Lord of hosts. This counsel shall not stand; nor shall
3 it take effect. But the head of Aram shall be Damascus, and the
head of Damascus, Rasin — but further, in three score and five
years, the kingdom of Ephraim shall cease from being a people,
9 though Somoron is the head of Ephraim, and the son of Rome-
lias, the head of Somoron, yes though you may not believe
nor understand.
10 Moreover the Lord proceeded to speak to Achaz saying,
11 "Ask thee a sign from the Lord thy God in• the depth or in
12 the height." And Achaz said, 'Ί will not ask, nor will I try
13 the Lord." Thereupon he said. Hear now, Ο house of David,
Ch. VIII. ESAIAS.
Is it a small matter for you to contend with men? How is it
then that you contend with the Lord? Therefore the Lord him-
self will give you a sign.
14 Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he
shall be called Emmanuel.
15 Doth this child,*- before it hath known to chuse good in prc-
16 ference to evil, eat butter and honey, because previous to its
knowing good or evil it disobeyeth evil to make choice of
good? The land indeed which thou feareston account of these
17 two kings shall be relinquished; but God will bring upon thee
and upon thy people and upon the house of thy father days
which have not yet come. From the day he hath taken Ephra-
18 im from Juda [he will bring] the king of the Assyrians. It
shall come to pass that at that time the Lord will utter a call
to the flies — to that part of them which rule over the river of
Egypt; and to the bee which is in the country of the Assyri-
19 ans; and they shall all come into the vallies of this country; and
into the holes of the rocks; and into the caves and into every
20 cleft. On that day the Lord will shave with that razor — with
that which was hired on the bank of the river — with that of the
king of the Assyrians, the head and the hair of the feet: and
21 take oiFthe beard. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a
22 man will keep a young coav and two sheep; and by reason of
the abundance he will drink milk — butter and honey will be
23 eaten by every one left in the land. And it shall come to pass
in that day every where, though there may be a thousand vine-
yards, each valued at a thousand shekels income: they shall be
24 for briars and thorns. With bows and arrows men will resort
thither. Because the whole country shall be a waste of briars
25 and thorns, therefore every mountain which hath been plough-
ed will be ploughed, wherever terror could not come ; for by
reason of the country's being a waste of briars and thorns, it
shall be a pasture for sheep and a range for the ox.
\ ill. AgainUiQ Lord said to me. Take thee a strip of a large
new roll and write thereon with a man's pen '■'•Speed quickly to
2 the plunder of the spoil^^'' for it is at hand. And let faithful men,
Ourias and Zacharias son of Barachias be witnesses for me.
3 Now I had approached to the prophetess and she had con-
* Pointing to his son Jasub,
Ch. VIII. ESAIAS.
ceived and when she brought forth a son, the Lord said to me,
4 Call his name ^^ Speed to the spoil — haste to the preif^ for be-
fore diis chiild shall know to pronounce father or mother, the
van of the king of Assyria will take the army of Damascus and
the spoils of Samaria.
5 Again the Lord spoke yet further to me saying, Because
6 this people reject the water of Siloam which fioweth gently and
chuse to have Rasin and the son of Romelias to rule over them;
7 therefore behold the Lord will bring upon you the water of the
river which is strong and abundant — even the king of Assyria
and his glory; and he will rise over all your channels, and over-
8 flow all your banks; and sweep away from Judea every man
who can raise his head, or is capable of executing any thing.
And the circuit of his camp shall be such as to fill the breadth
9 of thy country, Ο Emmanuel. Know this, Ο nations, and be
struck with consternation. Hearken ye who are in the remot-
est parts of the earth; be struck with consternation ye who have
made yourselves strong; for though you should again become
10 strong; with consternation you shall again be stricken, and what
counsel soever you may take, the Lord will defeat it; and what
word soever you may speak shall not take effect among you;
11 because God is Λvith us:
Thus saith the Lord with the strong hand, to them who
refuse to walk in the way of this people saying. Perhaps they
12 may order what is hard — (for whatever this people order is
hard.)
Be not ye terrified with the fear of them, nor dismayed; hal-
13 low the Lord himself, and let him be thy fear: for if thou hast put
14 trust in him he will be to thee a sanctuary, and you shall not run
against a stumbling stone, nor as under a falling rock. But as
for the houses of Jacob, they are in a trap, and the inhabitants
15 of Jerusalem are in a pit: for this cause many among them shall
be Aveak and fall and be trodden down and men will safely ap-
16 proach and take them. Then shall they be manifest who seal.
17 up the law that it may not be learned. Then w^ill one say, " ί
will wait for God, who hath turned away his face from the
house of Jacob; and I will trust in him. Here am I and the
children whom God hath given me."
18 Now when there shall be signs and wonders in the house
of Israel from the LiOrd of hosts, Λvho dwelleth on Moun'
Ch. IX. ESAIAS.
19 Sion; if they should suy to you, "Apply to the belly speakers,
and to them who cause a voice to proceed from the ground."
Those vain babblers Λνΐιο speak from the belly : should not
a nation apply to their God ? Why consult they the dead con-
20 ceming the living ? For he hath given a law for assistance ;
that they may not speak like such an oracle as this, which is
21 not worth the giving of gifts for it. Upon you indeed there
shall come a grievous famine ; and it shall come to pass that
when you are hungry, you will fret and curse the ruler and
22 the customs of your country. And they will look up to the
heaven above, then down on the earth beneath, and lo distress
and darkness ! tribulation and anguish and a gloom so as not
IX. to see ! But he who is in distress for a season shall not
be abandoned to despair. Drink this first ; do it quickly. With
regard to the region of Zabulon, the land of Nephthaleim and
the rest who inhabit the sea shore, and the banks of the Jor-
2 dan, Galilee of the nations ; ye people who walk in darkness,
behold ! a great light ! and ye who dwell in a region, the
shade of death, on you a light shall shine.
3 With reg-ard to the bulk of the people, whom thou hast
brought back in thy joy, they shall rejoice in thy presence,
like them who rejoice in harvest, and like them who are di-
4 viding spoils ; because the yoke which lay upon them, is taken
5 away, and the rod which was over their neck. For he hath
broken the rod of the exactor, as in the day of Madiam : for,
with a renewal of friendship, they shall make compensation
for every robe collected by deceit, and for every garment ;
and shall be willing to do so, if they Avere burned whh fire :
6 because for us a child is bom, and to us a son is given, whose
government is on his own shoulder ; and his name is called,
" The Messenger of Great Counsel:' For I will bring peace
7 on the rulers and health for him. His government shall be
great and to his peace there is no boundary, on the throne
of David and over his kingdom, to re-establish it, and support
it with judgment and justice, henceforth and forever. The zeal
of the Lord of hosts will do this.
VI. 8 THE LORD hath sent death against Jacob; and it hath
9 come upon Israel. And all the people of Ephraim shall know
it, and all the inhabitants of Samaria, who with haughtiness
Ch. Χ. ' ESAIAS.
10 and a lofty heail say, " The bricks are fallen ; but come, let
us hew stones and let us cut down sycamines and cedars and
build for ourselves a tower."
11 Though God will dash down them, who rise up against
12 him on mount Sion ; and disperse his enemies — Syria in the
east, and the Greeks in the west, who are devouring Israel
with open mouth ; for all this his anger is not turned away, but
still his hand is lifted high.
13 The people did not turn till they were smitten ; as they
14 indeed did not seek the Lord; therefore the Lord cut off from
15 Israel, head and tail, great and little in one day — the aged and
the honourable, this was the head ; and the prophet who teach-
16 eth falsehood, he is the tail. Still there will be deceivers, who
will call this people happy, and lead them astray, that they may
17 devour them ; therefore the Lord will have no pleasure in
their young men ; and on their orphans and their widows he
will have no compassion ; because they are all wicked and
regardless of law, and every mouth speaketh perversely. For
all this his wrath is not turned away but still his hand is lift-
ed high. —
18 Still iniquity will bum like a fire, and like dry stubble it
shall be consumed by fire. It shall burn in the thickets of the
19 forest, and consume all on the hills around. By reason of the
fierce anger of the Lord the whole country is in a flame ; and
the people shall be as fuel for the fire. A man will have no
20 pity for his brother, but will turn to the right because he is
hungry, and devour on the left, but shall not be satisfied. Man
is devouring the flesh of his brother's arm ; for Manasses is
devouring Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasses ; for they will
both together besiege Juda.
For all this his anger is not turned away; but still his hand
is lifted high.
X. Wo to them who write wickedness ! For writers are
2 writing wickedness; turning aside the cause of the distressed;
robbing the poor of my people, of their right; that the widow
3 may be their prey and the orphan, their spoil: what then shall
they do in the day of visitation? For tribulation shall come
upon you froni afar; and to whom can you flee for succour?
Ch. Χ. ESAIAS.
4 And where will you leave your glory, that you may not fall into
the captive band?
For all this his anger is not turned aAvay, but still his hand
is lifted high.
5 Ho ! Assyrians !
6 The rod of my wrath, even mine anger is in their hands, I
will send this anger of mine to a lawless nation; and I will order
this people of mine to gather spoil and take the prey, and to
7 trample down cities and lay them in the dust. But he did not
harbour such thoughts; nor did he reason thus in his mind;
but his mind will prompt him to destroy nations not a few.
8 Even though they should say to him, Thou alone art chief.
9 He indeed will say,
" Have I not taken the whole country above Babylon and
Chalene, where the tower had been builded? Nay have I not
10 taken Arabia and Damascus and Samaria? In the same man-
ner as I have taken these; so will I take all the governments.
1 1 Howl ye graven images in Jerusalem and in Samaria; for as I
have done to Samaria and her images, so will I do to Jerusa-
lem and her idols."
12 But it shall come to pass, when the Lord hath accom-
plished his whole work on mount Sion and Jerusalem; that I
will cast a look on the stout heart — on the chief ruler of the
Assyrians, and on the loftiness of the glory of his eyes.
13 For he said, *' With this power I will perform exploits;
and by the wisdom of mine understanding I will remove the
14 boundaries of nations, and make a prey of their strength, and
shake inhabited cities, and seize with my hand the whole
world as anest; and carry oif the inhabitants like deserted eggs.
There is none Λvho can escape me or chirp against me."
15 Shall an axe boast without him who cutteth with it ; or a
saw lift itself up, without him who draweth it ; as one could
lift up a staff or a piece of wood ? No; this shall not be per-
16 mitted : indeed the Lord of hosts will send disgrace on thy
17 honour, and on thy glory a burning fire shall be kindled: and
the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and shall hallow him with
a burning fire, and consume his substance like dry grass.---
.18 On that day there shall be an extinction of the mountains,
and the hills, and the forests ; and it shall consume from the
Ch. XI. ESAIAS.
soul even to the flesh : and he who fleeth shall be like one fiee-
19 mg from blazing fire. And those of them who are left shall be
20 few in number, so that a child may write them down. And it
shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel shall
no more join, nor shall those of Jacob who have escaped, any
more lean on them who have injured them ; but they will place
21 their confidence in God the Holy One of Israel, in truth. This
22 remnant of ^acob shall indeed be for the Mighty God. Yes :
though the people of Israel be as the sand of the sea, this rem-
nant of them shall be saved. He is closing an account and mak-
23 ing a deduction with saving goodness. Because with the whole
land the Lord will make a reckoning from which a deduction
24 hath been made, therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts,
" Ο my people who dwell in Sion, be not daunted at the
Assyrian, because he Λνϋΐ smite thee with a rod; for I am
bringing this stroke upon thee that thou mayst see the way of
25 Egypt. For yet a little while and mine indignation shall cease ;
26 and my wrath will be against their counsel ; and God will raise
against them a scourge similar to that of Madiam at the place
of aifliction.
When his wrath shall be in the western road — in the high
27 way leading to Egypt ; it shall come to pass in that day, that
his yoke shall be taken from thy shoulder, and the terror of him
from thee — his yoke shall be utterly destroyed from off" thy
28 shoulders. For he will come to the city Aggai, and pass on to
29 Mageddo ; and at Machmas he will deposit his baggage : then
he will pass the valley and come to Aggai. Terror will seize
30 Rama the city of Saul ; the daughter of Galleim will flee : he
λγ'ύΐ be heard of at Laisa — he will be heard of at Anathoth.
31 When Madebena hath fainted; then, Ο inhabitants of Gibbeir,
32 comfort with the news of his halting a day on his march —
S3 vv'ith the hand comfort the mount, the daughter of Sion. And
as for you, Ο hills, which are in Jerusalem, behold the sove-
reign Lord of hosts, with majesty confoundeth the glorious.
Tliey who are elated with arrogance shall be crushed ; and the
lofty shall be brought low; yes, the lofty shall Μ by the sword^
and Libanus shall fall with the lofty.
^I. And there shall spring up a shoot from the root of Jessai —
.2 even from that root shall spring up a blooming shoot ; and the
VOL. ι.ιτ. I,
Ch. XI. ESAIAS.
spirit of God will rest upon him — a spirit of wisdom and un-
derstanding; a spirit of counsel and majesty ; a spirit of know-
3 ledge and piety — by this spirit he will be filled with the fear
of God. He will not judge according to opinion, nor Λνϋΐ he
4 reprove according to report; but he will administer justice to
the lowly, and work conviction in the meek of the earth. And
he will smite the earth with the word of his mouth, and with
5 a breath from his lips destroy the wicked. His loins will be
girded with saving goodness, and his reins clothed with truth.
6 And a ".volf shall pasture with a lamb ; and a leopard shall lie
down with a kid ; and the calf, and bull and lion shall pasture
7 together, and a little child shall tend them. The cow and bear
shall feed together ; and together their young shall herd ; and
8 the lion shall eat chaif like an ox. And the sucking child shall
lay its hand on the holes of asps and on the bed of young asps.
9 And they shiill not hurt nor have power to destroy any one on
the mountain which is my sanctuary. Because the whole earth
is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as abundant water
10 covereth depths of seas ; therefore there shall be in that day,
the root of Jesse, even he who riseth up to rule nations: in him
nations will put their trust, and his resting place shall be glo-
11 rious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will
proceed to shew his hand to provoke to jealousy the remnant
of his people — that residue which is left from the Assyrians,
and from Egypt and from Babylonia, and from Ethiopia and
12 the Elamites, and from the risings of the sun and Arabia. And
he will erect a standard for the nations, and gather together the
outcasts of Israel, and assemble the dispersed of Juda from the
13 four quarters of the earth. And the envy of Ephraim shall be
taken away; and the enemies of Juda shall be destroyed:
Ephraim shall not envy Juda; nor shall Juda vex Ephraim :
14 And Ibey shall be wafted in the ships of foreign tribes; and
they shall spoil both the sea and them of the east and Idumea:
and upon Moab they shall first lay their hands ; but the sons of
15 Ammon shall first obey. And the Lord will dry up the sea of
Egypt, and lay his hand on the river with a vehement wind:
and smite the seven channels, so that they may be crossed dry-
1 6 shod. And there shall be a passage for my people left in Egypt.
It shall be for Israel as on the day when they came up out of
the land of Egypt,
Ch. XII. XIII. ESAIAS.
XII. And on that day thou wilt say, I bless thee, Ο Lord ;
because, though thou wast angry with me, thou hast turned
2 away thy wrath and pitied me. Behold! my God is my Saviour
I Avill trust in him and not be afraid. Because the Lord is my
glory and my praise ; and hath become unto me salvation ;
therefore draw ye water with gladness from the wells of thanks-
giving.
3 Thou shalt say also on that day, Ο praise the Lord : invoke
4 his name aloud ! proclaim among the nations his glorious acts:
call them up to your remembrance. Because his name is ex-
5 alted ; praise ye the name of the Lord. Because he hath done
stupendous acts ; proclaim them throughout the whole earth.
6 Shout for joy and be glad, Ο inhabitants of Sion, for in the
midst of it is exalted the Holy One of Israel.
XIII. VII. A vision which Esaias son of Amos saw respecting
Babylon,
2 (J) ON a mount in the plain, erect a standard; raise the voice
3 to them ; beckon with the hand. Open Ο princes ! it is I who
command. It is I, who am leading these on. Giants are coming
to execute my Λvrath, rejoicing and -at the same time arrogant.
4 (p) A sound of many nations on the mountains ! A tu-
multuous sound of many nations ! A sound of kings and na-
tions gathered together ! the Lord of hosts hath issued or-
5 ders to a nation trained for battle. They are come from a far
distant country — from the extreme butment of heaven — the
Lord and his trained warriors, to destroy all that inhabited
land.
6 Raise the mournful cry ! for the day of the Lord is at hand,
7 and destruction from God will come : therefore every hand
shall be enfeebled ; and every man's heart shall be dismayed.
8 The men in power shall be confounded ; and pangs shall seize
them, like those of a woman in travail. And they shall be-
Λvail their calamities, one to another, and be amazed ; and their
9 countenances will quiver like a flame. For behold the remedi-
less day of the Lord is coming-— a day of wrath and indigna-
(J) lehovah, (p) the prophet.
Ch. XIV. ESAIAS.
tion, to make the empire a desolation ; and to destroy the sin-
10 ners out of it. For the stars of heaven — even Orion and the
whole host of heaven, shall not give light ; even that of the
rising sun shall be darkened ; and the moon shall not give
her light.
11 (J) I will indeed order evils for the whole empire, and on
the wicked their transgressions ; and destroy the arrogance of
12 the wicked ; and humble the haughtiness of the proud ; so
that those left shall be more precious than tried gold and a man
13 more precious than the ore of Souphir. For the heaven shall be
filled with wrath; and the earth shaken from its foundations; at
14 the fierce anger of the Lord of Hosts, on the day when his wrath
shall come: and those left shall be like a chased roe and wander-
ing sheep ; and there shall be none to collect them together ; so
that they may return every man to his place, when every one
15 shall be seeking his own country. For whoever is overtaken
shall be thrust through and those collected in a body shall fall by
16 the sword. And their infants shall be dashed to pieces before
their eyes ; and their houses shall be plundered and their wives
17 ravished. Behold I am raising up against you the Medes, who
18 disregard silver and have no need of gold. They shall break the
bows of the young men, and on your infants they will have no
19 compassion; nor will their eyes spare thee for thy children. And
Babylon, which is §tiled Glorious, by the king of the Chal-
deans, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorra.
20 It shall not be inhabited for a great length of time, nor shall it
be entered for many generations. The Arabians shall not pass
21 through it ; nor shall shepherds make their folds therein. But
wild beasts shall there go to rest ; and the houses shall be fill-
ed with howling. There jackals shall make their abode ; and
22 there demons shall hold their revels. And onocentaurs shall
inhabit there ; and porcupines shall breed in the houses.
XIV. (p) He is coming quickly and will not tarry, but the
Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still make choice of
Israel ; and they shall rest in their own land ; and the stranger
shall be joined to them, and shall be added to the house of Ja-
2 cob. The nations shall take them and bring them to their place;
and the house of Jacob shall possess them ; when they shall be
multiplied m their land, for men servants and for maid servants:
Ch. XIV. ESAIAS.
and they who captivated them shall be captives ; and they who
3 domineered over them shall be brought into subjection. And
it shall come to pass in that day when the Lord shall give thee
rest from thy sorrow and thy grief — from that hard servitude
4 of thine, with which thou hast served them, that thou wilt take
up this funeral song over the king of Babylon :
(c) " How the extortioner is laid to rest! and a stop put to
5 his demands ! The Lord hath broken the yoke of the sinners —
6 the yoke of the rulers. He smote a nation in wrath with an in-
curable wound ; he smote a nation with a vengeful wound
7 which did not spare. The confidant is gone to rest ; the whole
8 earth shouteth for joy ; and the trees of Lebanon rejoice over
thee — and the cedars of Lebanon say,
" Since thou hast gone to rest, no feller is come up against
9 us." Hades from beneath was in uproar to meet thee : for thee
were roused all the giants who had ruled the earth. Having
roused from their thrones all the kings of nations, they will all
accost thee saying,
10 " And art thou caught as we have been? And among us
art thou enrolled? Is thy pomp come down to Hades — all thy
11 great festivity?" Beneath thee they will strew corruption for a
12 bed ; and worms shall be thy covering. How is Lucifer fallen
from heaven! He Avho was harbinger of the morning — he who
sent messages to all the nations, is trampled down into the earth.
13 Thou indeed didst say in thy heart, I will ascend up into hea-
ven ; above the stars of heaven I will place my throne ; I will
seat myself on a lofty mountain — on the lofty mountains which
14 face the north. I will ascend above the clouds ; I will be like
15 the Most High. But thou must now go down to the mansion
16 of the dead — even down to the foundations of the earth. They
who see thee will express their amazement at thee and say, Is
17 this the man who troubled the earth? who shook kings? who
made the world a desert? Avho, when he destroyed cities, nc^cΓ
18 dismissed his captives ? All the kings of the nations have been
composed to rest with honour, every man in his own house.
19 But thou shalt be cast out on the mountains, like an abomi-
(c) the chorus.-
Ch. XIV. ESAIAS.
nable corse, with dying crouds, pierced with the sword, de-
scending down to the mansion of the dead.
20 As a mantle stained with blood cannot be clean; for
the same cause neither canst thou be clean. Because thou hast
destroyed this land of mine, and hast slain this my people; thou
21 shalt not be of long continuance. Wicked seed, prepare thy
sons for slaughter, for the sins of their fathers; that they may
22 not rise and possess the land, and fill the world with wars. I
will indeed rise up against them, saidi the Lord of hosts, and
23 destroy their name and remnant and seed. Thus saith the Lord,
I will lay Babylonia waste: that porcupines may inhabit it; and
it shall be a desolation. And I will plunge it in the miry gulf
24 of destruction. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, as I have spoken
so it shall be; and as I have determined, so it shall stand. I
25 will destroy the Assyrians on this land of mine: and on these
mountains of mine they shall be trodden down; and their yoke
shall be removed from my people; and their reproach shall be
taken from their shoulders.
26 (p)This is the counsel which the Lord hath taken against
the whole empire, and this is the hand which is lifted high
27 against all the nations. For who can disannul what the holy God
hath decreed? and liis hand which is lifted high, who can turn
aside?
Vin, Iji the year in which king Achaz died, this Oracle was de-
livered.
29 REJOICE not, foreign tribes, with one consent, because the
yoke of him who smote you is broken; for from the seed of a
serpent Avill come forth young asps, and their offspring will be
50 flying serpents. For the needy will be fed by him; and in peace
the needy will repose. But with famine he will destroy thy
31 seed-^even the remnant of thy seed he will destroy. Raise the
mournful cry ye gates of cities; Ο foreign tribes! let harassed
cities scream with one consent: for a smoke is coming from the
north, which cannot be endured; what then will the kings of
nations say in reply?
52 " That the Lord hath founded Sion, and by him the poor
of his people shall be saved."
Ch. XV. XVI. ESAIAS.
XV. IX. The Oracle against Moah.
IN the night Moab is destroyed; for by night is destroyed
2 the bulwark of Moab. Be in bitterness for yourselves; for Debon
also is destroyed. Where your altar is, thither you will go up
to weep for Nabau of Moab. Raise the mournful cry. On every
head be baldness; let all your arms be gashed with wounds.
3 In the streets thereof, gird on sackcloth, and on its house tops
make lamentation; and in the streets thereof and in its lanes,
4 raise ye all the mournful cry with weeping: because Esebon
and Eleale have screamed — even to Jassa their voice hath been
heard; therefore the lungs of Moab utter lowings; her soul will
5 be afflicted. The heart of Moab within her uttereth lowings,
which reach Segor: for she is a three headed heifer. At the as-
cent of Louith weepers will come up to thee; by the way of
6 Aroniim destruction and dismay are roaring. The water of
Nemereim will be dried up: and its grass will fail; there will be
7 no green grass. But even thus it shall not be saved; for I will
8 bring the Arabs against that valley; and they shall take it. For
the cry of war touched the border of Moab at Agaleim, and
9 the scream thereof reacheth even to the well of Aileim. As for
the Avater of Deimon, it shall be full of blood; for I will bring
the Arabians against Deimon, and carry off the seed of Moab
XVI. and Ariel; and the remnant of Adama I will send avv^ay
as reptiles on the earth. Is Petra a desert? There is the moun-
2 tain of the daughter of Sion [to fly to] for thou shaltbe — (like
the young of a flown bird carried away) Thou, Moab, shalt be
a vassal; and after that there will be a greater tribute of lambs.
3 Take counsel [O Sion] and make for her every Avhcre a
shelter from grief. In midnight darkness they will flee. They
4 are confounded. Be not thou incensed. Let the fugitives of Mo-
ab sojourn with thee. They will be a shelter to you from the
face of a pursuer. Because thy share in the war is taken away;
and the chief who trampled down is destroyed from this land;
5 therefore a throne shall be established with mercy, and on it
one shall be seated with truth; in the tabernacle of David, exe-
cuting justice, and searching out judgment and promoting
righteousness.
Ch. XVIL ESAIAS.
6 (s)" We have heard of the haughtiness of Moab — ^he is very
insolent."
(J)This haughtiness I have totally removed.
7 "Is not this, is not this the oracle concerning thee? Moab
shall raise the mournful cry, for in the country of Moab they
shall all utter the cry of woe, but to them who dwell in the
habitations of Seth thou shalt extend care and shalt not be
8 ashamed." The plains of Esebon shall mourn — the vineyard
of Sebama. Ye who drink up the nations, trample down her
vineyards to Jazer. You need not march in close array: roam
through the wilderness. They who were dispatched were wholly
given up, for they passed through quite to the sea.
9 (p)Let me therefore weep, as with the weeping of Jazer, for the
vineyards of Sebama. He hath cut down thy trees, Ο Esebon
and Eleale.
(J)Because in harvest and at thy vintage I will trample down
10 and all shall be laid prostrate; therefore gladness and the shout
of joy shall be taken from the vineyards. And in thy vineyards
they shall not rejoice, nor tread out wine in thy cisterns, for a
stop is put to the shout of joy.
11 (p) For Moab therefore will my bowels sound like a kithara,
12 and my entrails, as when thou didst consecrate a wall; but it
will be for the purpose of making thee ashamed. Because Mo-
ab had tired himself at the altars, therefore he will go in to the
works of his hands; that they may intercede; but they shall
not be able to deliver him.
13 This is the decree which the Lord pronounced against
14 Moab, when he spoke. And now I say, within three years of
tlie years of an hireling the glory of Moab shall be debased
Λvith all his abundant wealth; and he shall be left few in num-
ber and of no estimation.
XVII. X. The Oracle against Damascus.
BEHOLD Damascus shall be removed from among cities,
2 and shall be for desolation — left for ever for the folding of
flocks, and for a resting place where none will scare them.
3' And it shall no more be a fortress for Ephraim to flee to; nor
(s) Sion.
•ever
Ch. XVIII. ESAIAS.
shall there be again a regal government in Damascus— ever
hereafter, of the Syrians. For thou art not better than the chii-
dren of Israel— than that which was their glory. Thus saith the
4 Lord of hosts, there shall be in that day a diminution'of the
glory of Jacob; and the fatness of his gloiy shall be shaken•
5 and it shall be as when one gathereth the standing harvest
and reapeth the ears of stalks; nay, it shall be as when one ga-
thereth stalks in a sterile vale, still a stalk may be left in it:
6 or like the unripe berries of an olive tree, two or three may be
left on the topmost bough, or four or five among the iDranches.
7 Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, in that day let man
trust in his maker, and his eyes look to the Holy One of Israel:
8 and let him no more put confidence in altars, nor in the works
of their hands which their fingers have made, nor look to the
groves nor to their abominations.
9 In that day thy cities shall be forsaken, as the Amorites
and Evites forsook theirs because of the sons of Israel: and
they shall become a desolation.
10 Because thou hast forsaken God thy Saviour, and hast
not been mindful of the Lord thy helper, therefore thou shalt
11 plant a faithless plant and a faithless seed. On the day thou
plantest thou shalt be deceived. Though thou sovvest in the
morning, shall it bloom for harvest? or on the day when thou
shalt take possession, shalt thou as the father of man take pos-
session for thy sons ?
12 Alas! the multitude of many nations! Like the billowy sea
so shall you be tossed, and the back of many nations shall
13 sound like water. The multitude of nations being like a
great flood, their flight shall be like that of a mighty torment roll-
ing on impetuously. For he will repulse them with sconi, and
pursue them to a great distance, like chaff" before the wind
when men winnow, or as a tempest driveth the dust of a wheel.
14 Toward evening there will be grief; before morning they shall
be no more. This is the portion of them who have plundered
you; and this the inheritance of them, who have taken posses-
sion of you.
XVIII. Ah ! wings of the land of ships I Thou who surpass-
2 est the Ethiopian streanis, thou who art sending pledges by
sea, and paper messages on the water; for s^Aift messene-ers
\τητ τ τ t __ "^
VOL. IIL
Ch. XIX. ESAIAS.
will go to a lofty nation, and to a strange and fierce people.
There is one far transcending it. With regard to the nation
without hope and trodden down, at this time, Ο all ye streams
3 of that land, like an inhabited country, their country shall be
inhabited. As if a signal were displayed from a mountain, as
4 with the sound of a trumpet, let the news be spread. For thus
hath the Lord said to me, " There shall be safety in this city
of mine; like the light of noontide heatj and it shall be like a
dewy cloud in a harvest day."
5 Before the vintage, when the blossom is perfect, and the
young gi-ape is swelling in the blossom; the diminutive bunch-
es are to be cut off with pruning hooks, and the small shoots,
6 to be nip'd off and cut away, and left together for the birds of
the air, and for the wild beasts of the earth. And against them
will be gathered all the birds of the air; and all the wild beasts
7 of the earth will come upon it. At that time gifts will be brought
to the Lord of Hosts from a people afflicted and peeled — even
on account of a people great from this time and forever. A
nation having hope, though trodden down, which is in a part of
the river of its country, Avill send them to the place of him,
whose name is the Lord of Hosts, even to mount Sion.
XIX. XI. A vision concerning Egypt.
1 BEHOLD the Lord is seated on a swift cloud; and he will
come into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at
his presence; and the heart of the people shall melt within them.
2 And they shall be stirred up, Egyptians against Egyptians,
and shall fight; brother against brother and neighbour against
3 neighbour, city against city, and nome against nome. And the
spirit of tlie Egyptians shall be troubled within them : and I
will dissipate their counsel; and tliey will consult their gods
and their idols; and them who cause a voice to proceed from
4 the ground, namely the belly speakers. And I will deliver
Egypt into the hands of men — cruel lords; and fierce kings
shall have dominion over them.
5 Thus saiih the Lord of Hosts, The iLgj-ptians drink water even
6 that near the sea, but the river shall fail and be dried up — both
the streams and the canals of the river shall fail; and every col-
lection of water shall be dried up, even every fen, where reeds
Ch. XIX. ESAIAS.
7 and papyrus grow. And all the quick springing herbage which
is around the river, and every thing which is sown by the river
8 shall be dried up and withered by the wind. And the fisher-
men shall mourn — all who cast drags in the river shall mourn;
and they who spread nets and they who are anglers shall grieve:
9 and shame shall seize them who work the split flax, and them
10 who work up the cotton. They w-ho are employed in sue! ι
works shall be in sorrow; and they who brew beer shall mourn
and be grieved in soul.
11 The princes of Tanis shall be fools, those wise counsellors
of the king, their counsel shall be turned into folly. How can
you say to the king. We are sons of wise men, sons of ancient
12 kings? Where now are these wise men of thine? Let them tell
thee publickly and declare what the Lord of hosts hath deter-
mined against Egypt.
1 3 The princes of Tanis have failed; and the princes of Mem-
phis are exalted, and they Avill lead Egypt astray, tribe by
14 tribe. For the Lord hath mingled for them a spirit of error, and
they with all their works have made Egypt reel, as a drunk-
15 ard doth, when he is vomiting. So that there shall be no work
among the Egyptians, of which one can make head or tail, be>
16 ginning or end. And in that day the Egyptians shall be like
women in fear and trembling because of the hand of the Lord
of Hosts which he will lay upon them.
17 And the country of the Jews will be a terror to the Egyp-
tians : wlien any one shall mention it to them, thev will be in
teiTor, because of the counsel which the Lord of Hosts hath
18 determined against it. In that day there shall be five cities in
Egypt which shall speak the language of Chanaan. And swear
by the name of the Lord of Hosts: and one of them shall be
19 called the city of Asedek. And in that day there shall be an al-
tar for the Lord in the country of the Egyptians, and at its
20 boundaiy a pillar for the Lord, and it shall be an everlasting
sign for the Lord, in tlie country of Egypt. Because they will
cry to the Lord on account of their oppressors, therefore he
will send them a man who will save them: he will vindicate their
21 cause and deliver them. And the Lord will be made known to
the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will acknowledge the Lord
Ch. XX. XXI. i:SAIAS.
in that day, and offer sacrifices and make vows to the Lord
22 and perform them. Thus ΛνίΙΙ the Lord smite the Egyptians
and heal them, and they shall be turned to the Lord, and he
will hearken to them and heal them.
23 In that day this will be the highway from Egypt to Assyria;
and Assyrians will come to Egypt and Egyptians to Assy-
24 ria ; and the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrians. In that day
Israel shall be a third, among the Egyptians and among the
Assyrians, blessed in the land which the Lord of Hosts hath
blessed saying,
" Blessed is my people which is in Egypt, and which is
in Assyria and Israel which is mine inheritance."
XX. XII. IN the year that Tanathan having been sent by
Arna king of Assyria went to Azotus and fought against it
and took it, at that time the Lord spoke to Esaias son of Amos
saying, " Go and take the sackcloth from thy loins and loose
thy sandals from thy feet; and having done so walk stripp'd and
3 bare foot." And the Lord said. As my servant Esaias hath
walked stripp'd and bare foot, three years ; three years he shall
4 be for signs and wonders to the Egyptians, and Ethiopians,
that in this manner the king of Assyria will lead away the
captives of Egypt and Ethiopia, young and old, naked and
5 barefoot, exposing to view the shame of Egypt. And they
being subdued shall be ashamed of the Ethiopians in whom
the Egyptians had placed confidence ; for they were their
6 glory. And in that day the inhabitants of this country will say,
Behold we trusted to flee for help to them, Avho were un-
able to deliver themselves from the king of Assyria: how then
shall we escape ?
XXI. XIII. The vision of the Desert.
AS, when a whirlwind having passed through a desert, is
rushing out of a desert, the sight from the land is terrible ;
this vision being also dreadful, was revealed to me. The trea-
cherous dealeth treacherously ; the transgressor transgresseth ;
the Elamites are upon me ; and the elders of the Persians are
coming against me. Am I now to groan and comfort myself?
Ch. XXII. ESAIAS.
3 For this cause my loins are filled with fainting; pangs have seiz-
ed me like a Avoman in travail. I did wrong not to hear ; I shud-
4 dered so that I could not see. My heart is bewildered, transgres-
sion overwhelmeth me. My soul is on the brink of despair. Pre-
5 pare the table. Eat, drink ye chiefs. Having arisen prepare
6 shields. Because thus the Lord said to me, " Go set a watch-
7 man for thyself and proclaim Avhat thou seest." Thereupon I
beheld a chariot with two riders, and a rider on an ass and a
rider on a camel.
" Listen with the utmost attention, said the Lord, and call
8 "A fair breeze to the watch tower" I have kept my station all
the day long, and by the camp I have stood the whole night; and
9 behold here cometh a man riding in a chariot, and addressing
me he said, "It is fallen ! Babylon is fallen ! and all her images,
and all the works of her hands are dashed on the ground."
10 Hear this ye who have been forsaken ! and ye, who have
been sorely grieved, hear what I have heard from the Lord of
Hosts — what the God of Israel hath announced to us.
XIV. The vision concernhig Idumea.
η TO me one calleth from Seir, " Guard ye the fortifica-
12 tions," I keep watch morning and night. If thou wouldst in-
13 quire; inquire and dwell near me. Thou mayst go to rest in
the western forest, or in the way to Dedan.
14 Ο inhabitants of the country of Thaiman, bring out water
to meet the thirsty ; meet with bread them who are fleeini^,
15 because of the multitude of the slain ; and because of the mul-
titude of dispersed; and because of the multitude of swords;
and because of the multitude of bended bows ; and because
16 of the multitude of them who have fallen in battle. For thus
hath the Lord said to me, " Within a year, according to the
year of an hireling, the glory of the children of Kedar shall
fail ; and the remnant of the mighty bowmen of Kedar shall
be small. For the Lord God of Israel hath spoken."
XXIL XV. The Oracle concerning the valley of Sion.
WHAT aileth thee, that you are all now gone up to the
- house tops? This vain city is full of people shouting. Thy
slam are not slain with the sword; nor have thy dead'died in
Ch. XXII. ESAIAS.
3 battle. All thy chiefs have fled and they who are taken are cru-
elly bound. Even the mighty men in thee have fled far away.
4 Therefore I said, Let me alone ; let me weep bitterly : la-
bour not to comfort me, for this distress of the daughter of my
5 people. For it is a day of trouble and destruction and tread-
ing down. There is indeed some wandering from the Lord of
Hosts ; in the valley of Sion they are wandering about ; from
the least to the greatest they are wandering on the mountains.
6 But the Elamites have taken up their quivers; and the horse-
men have mounted their horses; and the army is arrayed in
7 order for battle ; and on they will come. Thy choicest valleys
shall be filled with chariots; and the horsemen will block up
8 thy gates, and burst open the gates of Juda; and look, on that
day, into the choicest houses of the city ; and lay open the
9 stores of the houses of David's citadel. They indeed know that
they are many, and that the water of the old pool is turned into
10 the city, and that the houses of Jerusalem have been pulled
down, to fortify the wall in the cit}^
11 You have indeed provided water for yourselves, between
the two walls nearer than the old pool, and have not looked to
him who formed it of old, nor regarded him who created it.
12 Though the Lord of hosts, on that day, called for mourn-
ing, and lamentation, and for shaving of hair and girding with
13 sackcloth, yet they indulged themselves in joy and gladness,
slaying oxen and sacrificing sheep, that they might eat flesh
and drink wine, saying, " Let us eat and drink, for to-moiTow
14 we die." Yes, these were their undisguised expressions, in the
hearing of the Lord of hosts, therefore this sin will not be for-
15 given you till you die; Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Go to
16 the treasury — to Somnas the steward, and say to him. Why
art thou here? and what hast thou here? that thou hast hewn
out for thyself a monument, and hast made for thyself a se-
pulchre on high, and graved for thyself a tabernacle in a rock?
17 Behold the Lord of hosts is now driving out and will utterly
destroy men of rank, and he will take away thy robe and this
18 gorgeous crown of thine, and whirl thee into a large immea-
surable countr}^, and there thou shalt die. And he will bring
to disgrace thy splendid chariot, and make the house of thy
1 9 chief a publick walk. And when thou shalt be removed from
Ch. XXIII. ESAIAS.
20 thine office and station: it shall come to pass in that day, that
211 will call my servant Eliakim son of Chelkias, and clothe him
with thy robe. And this crown of thine 1 will confirm to him
and I will commit to his hands this office of thine : and he shall
be as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to them who
22 dwell in Juda. And I will give him the glory of David, and
he shall rule and there shall be no antagonist; and on his should-
er I will lay the key of the house of David; and he will open
and none shall shut ; and he will shut and none shall open :
23 and I will make him a ruler in a sure place, and he shall be a
24 throne of glory for the house of his fether. And on him will
rely with confidence, every honourable man in his father's
house, from the least even to the greatest. On him they shall
be dependant in that day.
25 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, The man who is now fixed
in a sure place shall be removed and taken away and shall fall;
and the glory which is on him shall be utterly destroyed for
the Ltord hath spoken it.
XXIII. XVI. The Oracle co}icermng Tyre,
RAISE the mournful cry, Ο ships of Carthage, for Tyre
is destroyed and there are no arrivals from the land of the Ki-
tians. She is carried away captive.
2 Who could be compared with the dwellers in this island—
3 these merchants of Phoenicia, who traversed the ocean— this
offspring of merchants on many a water, who made a traffick
of nations as of an ingathered harvest?
4 Be ashamed, Ο Sidon, said the sea— even the strength of
the sea said,
"I did not travail nor did I bring her forth; nor did I
5 nourish her youths, nor educate her virgins; yet when the
news shall reach Egypt, sorrow for Tyre will take hold on
them."
6 Away to Carthage ! Raise the mournful crv, ye who inha-
7 bit that isle ! Was not she your boast of old, before she \\ as
delivered up?
8 " TFho hath taken this counsel against the Tynans? Is she
inferior? Or hath she not power? Her merchants are glorious
chiefs of the earth.'''
Ch. XXIV. ESAIAS.
9 The Lord of Hosts hath determined to destroy all the
haughtiness of the glorious; and to bring to contempt every
thing glorious on the earth.
10 Work thy land : for ships no more arrive from Carthage,
nor is thy hand which vexed kings, any more powerful by
11 sea. The Lord of Hosts hath given a command, concerning
12 Chanaan, to destroy its power : and shall it be said. You must
not proceed to insult and distress the daughter of Sidon? Nay
though thou shouldst go to the Kitians; yet even there thou
13 shalt not have rest. Away to the land of the Chaldeans, though
it hath been wasted by the Assyrians; because its walls had
fallen.
14 Raise the mournful cry, Ο ships of Carthage, because
your strong hold is destroyed.
15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be
forsaken seventy years, according to the days of a king, ac-
cording to the time of a man. And it shall come to pass after
seventy years, that Tyre shall be as the song of a harlot.
16 Take a kithara, stroll about, Ο city, Ο harlot long forgot-
ten ! Play skilfully; sing many songs, that thou mayst be re-
17 membered. And it shall come to pass after seventy years, that
God will take account of Tyre, and she shall be restored to
her former state, and be a mart for all the kingdoms of the
] 8 world; which are on the face of the earth. And her traffick and
g-ain shall be holy to the Lord. All her gain shall not be trea-
sured up for themselves, but for them who dwell before the
Lord, that they may eat and drink and be filled, and for con-
tributions to be kept in remembrance before the Lord.
XXIV. XVII. Sect. 1. BEHOLD the Lord is about to de-
stroy this inhabited land ! He will lay it waste and uncover the
2 face thereof and scatter abroad them who dwell therein. x'Vnd
it shall be as with the people so with the priest; as Λvith the
servant, so with the master; as with the maid, so with the mis-
tress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender,
so with the borrower; as with the debtor, so with the credit-
3 or. With destruction the land will be destroyed, and with
spoiling this land will be ransacked : for the mouth of the Lord
4 hath spoken this. The land mourned and this empire is dc-
Ch, XXIV. ESAIAS.
5 stroyed — the lofty people of the land mourned. As for the
land, it transgressed by means of its inhabitants. Because they
transgressed the law, and changed the institutions — the ever-
6 lasting covenant, therefore a curse devoureth the land. Be-
cause they who dwell therein have sinned, therefore the inha-
bitants of the land shall be distressed, and few are the men
7 who shall be left. The wine will mourn, the vineyard will
8 mourn, and all that were merry-hearted will sigh. The mirth
of the tabrets hath ceased, the sound of the kithara is no more.
9 They are confounded : they have drunk no wine. The palm
10 wine was bitter to them who drank it. Every city is desolat-
ed — the houses will be shut up that none may enter.
11 Raise the mournful cry every where for the wine. A stop
is put to all the joy of the land — all the joy of the land is gone.
12 The cities will be left desolate, and the houses being forsaken
13 will be destroyed. All this shall come to pass in this land, in
the midst of the nations. As when one shall shake an olive tree,
so shall they be shaken: and when the vintage is over a shout
will be raised.
14 But they who are left in the land shall be gladdened with
15 the glory of the Lord. The water of the sea will be troubled: for
this cause the glory of the Lord will be in the isles of die sea.
In the isles of the sea the name of the Lord will be glorious.
16 (c)" Ο Lord the God of Israel! from the outskirts of the
earth we have heard of thy wonders: there is hope for the
righteous."
(p)Let them say also, "Woe to the rebels who reject the law!
17 Terror and a pit and a snare are for you who dwell in the land:
18 and it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the terror,
shall fall into the pit; and he who getteth out of the pit, shall
be caught by the snare. Because the flood gates of heaven are
opened, therefore the foundations of the land shall be shaken.
19 With confusion the land will be confounded; with perplexity
20 this land will be perplexed. It reeled to and fro like a drunkard
when intoxicated: like a lodge in a vineyard the land shall be
shaken. For iniquity hath prevailed over it; and it shall fall and
21 shall not be able to rise. When God shall bring his hand on the
22 hosts of heaven, even upon the kings of this land; and the con-
gregation thereof shall have been assembled for imprisonment,
VOL. III. w
Ch. XXV. ESAIAS.
and shut up as chaff for many generations; of them there shall
be a visitation.
23 (c)When the bricks shall have mouldered away, and the wall
shall have fallen; because the Lord will commence his reien
ο
from Sion and from Jerusalem, and be glorified in the presence
XXV. of the elders; Ο Lord God, thee I will glorify: in songs
of praise I Avill extol thy name. For thou hast executed won-
derful things; a counsel of old immutably true.
2 Because thou hast reduced cities to a heap of ruins — cities
made strong, that their foundations might not fall; (a city of
wicked men cannot be built to last forever) therefore the dis-
4 tressed people will bless thee and the cities of injured men
Avill give thee thanks; for thou hast been the support of every
humble city and the defence of them who ^vere dispiritedj
by reason of their weakness. From wicked men thou wilt de-
liver them. Thou art the support of the thirsty and the breath
of men in distress.
5 (p)When dispirited men shall be thirsting in Sion on ac-
count of wicked men to whom thou hast delivered us up;
6 then will the Lord of Hosts make provision for all the nations.
7 On this mount they shall drink gladness: they shall drink
^\'ine and be anointed with myrrh on this mount. Hand down
all these things to the nations for this counsel is for all the na-
tions. V
8 . Mighty death had swallowed up; but the Lord God hath
again wiped every tear from every face; and removed from the
whole earth the reproach of this people. For the mouth of the
Lord hath spoken.
9 And in that day they will say, "Behold our God in whom
we trusted, will indeed save us. He is the Lord, for him we
waited and exulted; let us therefore rejoice in our salvation.
God will give rest on this mountain."
1 Sect. 2. WHEN the country of Moab shall be trodden down,
11 as a threshing floor is trampled widi cars and he shall cause his
hands to relax, as he indeed humbled him to be slain, and
shall humble his pride — those things on which he hath laid
12 his hands, and shall lower the height of his wall of refuge; and
it shall be laid low in the dust: in that day shall this song be
sung in the land of Judea.
Ch. XXVI. ESAIAS.
XXVI. (c.) ''Behold we have a strong city I he will make
salvation its wall and outworks. Open the gates; let the people
2 enter, who keep righteousness and A\ho keep truth; who sup-
3 port truth and keep peace; because their confidence is placed
4 in thee, Ο Lord! Avho art to everlasting, the Mighty, the
5 Eternal God, Avho hast humbled and brought down them who
6 dwell in lofty places. Fortified cities thou canst demolish and
level them vv itli the dust, that the feet of the meek and lowly
7 may trample them. The way of the pious \vas straight; the
way of the pious was well prepared; for the way of the
9 Lord is justice. We have trusted in thy name and in that
remembrance which is the desire of our soul by ni^ht.
To thee, Ο God, my spirit awaketh early, because thy statutes
are a light on the eardi. Learn righteousness }e dwellers
10 on earth, for the wicked one is no more. V/hoever Λνϋΐ not
learn justice on earth, cannot act agreeably to truth. Let
the wicked be removed that he may not see the glor}- of
11 the Lord. Thy hand, Ο Lord, was lifted high; but they did
not know it; but when they know they will be ashamed. Zeal
Avill seize an uninstructed people; even now a fire devoureth
the adversaries.
12 ■ Ο Lord, our God, grant us peace, for thou hast given us
13 all things. Ο Lord, our God, take possession of us! besides
thee, Ο Lord, we know none other. We celebrate thy name. As
14 for those who are dead they would not see life, nor could physi-
cians raise them up; therefore thou hast remo\ed and destroy-
ed and taken away all their males. Heap, Ο Lord, evils upon
them — Heap evils on the vainglorious of the earth.
16 Ο Lord, in affliction I remembered thee. Thine instruction
17 to us was with a small affliction; and .as a woman in labour,
when near delivery, crieth in her pangs, so have we been to thy
18 beloved. On account of the fear of thee, Ο Lord, we conceiv^-
ed and suffl^red the pangs of child birth, and brought forth the
spirit of thy salvation; for what we did in that land v/e arc not
to fail; but all the dwellers in that land are to fall.
19 (p)Thc dead shall be raised up again, even thev in the
tombs shall be raised up: and they in this land shallbe filled
with joy: for the dew from thee is healing for them; but the
20 land of tlie ungodly shall fall. Go my people, enter into thv
Ch. XXVII. ESAIAS.
chambers; shut thy door: hide thyself for a little while ; until
21 the anger of the Lord is passed. For behold the Lord from
his sanctuary is about to bring wrath on the inhabitants of this
land; and the land will disclose the blood on it, and will no
longer cover the slain.
XXVII. In that day God will bring his holy sword, even his
great and powerful sword, upon the dragon, the flying serpent
— Upon the dragon, the crooked serpent; he will slay the dra-
gon.
2 In that day the fair vineyard — I have a mind to lead a re-
sponsive song against this.
3 (c) I am a strong city, a city besieged.
(v) In vain shall I supply her with drink: for by night she
4 will be taken, and by day she will fall. There is no wall, or
it hath not availed her. Will any one set me to watch a stalk
in a field ? On account of this warfare I have rejected her.
5 (c) For this cause therefore the Lord hath executed all that
he determined. I am about to be burned up.
(v) Let the inhabitants therein cry aloud, " Let us make
peace with him. Let us make peace."
6 (p) They who are coming are children of Jacob. Israel shall
7 bloom and blossom; and the world shall be filled with his fruit.
He shall not, as he smote, be so smitten: nor, as he slew, shall he
8 be so slain. Having fought and disgraced them he will let them
go. Thou hast not been visiting with this severe wind, to de-
stroy them utterly with a blast of anger.
9 (J) By means of this the iniquity of Jacob will be removed:
and this will be to him a subject of thanksgiving, when I take
away his sin — when they grind to powder all the hewn stones
of their altars, and their groves no longer remain, and their
10 idols hack'd to pieces like a forest are far away. The folded
flock shall be disconsolate, like a flock which hath been forsa-
ken; and for a long time the country shall be for a pasture, and
1 1 flocks shall there take their rest. And after a time there will
be no verdure in it, by reason of its being parched up.
(p) Ο ye women who are coming from a goddess attend !
For this is not a people, who have understanding; therefore he
(c) the city. (v) the vineyard.
Ch. XXVIII. ESAIAS.
who made them will not have pity on them; nor will he who
12 formed them shew them any favour.
(J ) But it shall come to pass in that day,that God will hedge
them about from the channel of the river even to Rinocorouron.
13 Therefore gather ye the sons of Israel together one by one.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet
shall be sounded and those shall come who are perishing in the
land of Assyria, anci they who are perishing in Egypt; and
shall bow themselves down before the Lord, on this holy
mountain in Jerusalem.
XXVIII. Sect. 3. (p) AH! the crown of haughtiness ! The
mercenaries of Ephraim ! That flower which hath fallen from
the glory on the top of the fertile mountain ! Ye who are
2 drunk without wine ! Behold the xvrath of the Lord is a harsh
and terrible thing. Like a tempest of hail furiously driven when
there is no shelter, like a mighty deluge sweeping a country.
3 In this land it will put a stop to the labour of hands; and with
the feet shall be trampled down the crown of your pride, Ο
4 mercenaries of Ephraim. And the flower which hath dropped
from the hope of the Glory, on the top of the lofty mountain,
shall be like the early fruit of a fig tree, which he who seeth it
Avill wish to devour, before he can get it into his hand.
5 In that day the Lord of Hosts will be the crown of hope
6 the diadem of glory to the remnant of the people. They shall
be left for the spirit of Justice— to administer justice and de-
7 stroy the power of opposers. For by wine these were made
transgressors; they were led astray by strong drink. Priest and
prophet were stupefied with strong drink ; they were gorged
with wine— they were agitated by drunkenness; they reeled to
8 and fro. This is oracling ! A curse shall devour their counsel;
for their counsel is for the sake of train.
9 (f) " To whom, \_say they'] have we announced evils?
And to whom have we announced a message— we rvho have
been weaned from mUk, we who have been withdrawn from the
breasts? Expect affliction on affiiction; hope on hope, yet a little
while — yet a little while.
10 ^ On account of the mockery of their lips— because they
will speak to this people with a strange tongue, saying to them",
(f) The sententious speeches of the false prophets.
Ch. ΧΧνίίΙ. ESAIAS.
" This is the rest for him who is hungry; and this is tJie dc-
12 striiction, but they would not hcar^ Therefore the oracle of
God Λνίΐΐ be to them " Affliction on-offliction; hope on hope, tjet
a little while, yet a little while'''* that they may proceed on
and fall backwards; and they shall be broken and snared and
14 caught. Therefore hear the word of the Lord, ye afflicted
15 men, and ye rulers of this people in Jerusalem ! Because you
said, " We have made a covenant with death; and with the grave
we Jiave made a treaty : though the furious tempest may pass
through, it will by no means reach us. We have made falsehood
our refuge and by this falsehood we shall be saved.'''
16 Therefore thus saith the Sovereign Lord; behold I lay for
the foundation ofSion a stone of inestimable worth — a chosen y
precious corner-stone for the foundations of it, and he who be-
17 licvcth shall not be ashamed. And I will establish judgment
for hope, and my mercy shall be for scales. But as for you
who have vainly trusted in falsehood, that the tempest would
18 not reach you; and that it Vvould not break your treaty \\\U\
death; the hope v/hich you ha^•e with respect to the grave shall
not last : Avhen the furious tempest cometli, by it you shall be
19 beaten down. When it cometh it Vt^ill overtake you. Earh-, very
carl}' in the morning it v/ill come, and at night your hope wiii
20 be wretched. Learn to hear, " We are straitened for room, we
21 cannot fight. We are weakened by your pressing upon us.'''' Like
a mountain of wicked men the Lord will rise up; and he will
be in the valley of Gabaon. With ^vrath he will execute his
work — a work of bitterness; and his wrath will attack in a
22 strange manner ; ancl its severity Λνϋΐ be unusual. As for
you therefore, be not filled with joy, yet let not your bonds
gather strength. For the things are complete and decisive
which I have heard from the Lord of Hosts — which he will ex-
ecute on all this land.
23 Listen and hear my A^oice ; attend and hearken to these
24 words of mine. Will the ploughman plough the whole day ?
25 Or prepare seed before he hath tilled the ground ? Doth he
not, when he hath levelled the face of the soil, then sow the
small dill or cummin? and again sow Avheat and barley and
26 millet and rye in all thy borders ? So thou shalt be. corrected
27 by the judgment of God ; and be made glad. For the dill is
Ch. XXIX. ESAIAS.
not cleaned with a corn drag ; nor is the v^'hecl of a wain to
turn round on the cummin ; but λα ith a rod are beaten out
the dill — and cummin.
28 (J) Yet with bread they will be eaten. Fori, The I am
will not be angry with you forever, nor shall the voice of my
severity destroy you. These wonders have indeed proceeded
from the Lord of Hosts.
XXIX. Hold consultation; exalt vain comfort. Ah city Ariel,
against which David fought! collect provisions year after year;
2 eat ; for you shall eat \\\U\ Moab ; for I will bring distress
upon Ariel, and her strength and her riches shall be for mc.
3 I will indeed encompass thee as David did ; and surround
4 thee with a rampire; and erect towers around thee. But when
thy words shall be brought down to the ground ; and shall be as
if they sounded out of the earth ; and thy voice on the ground
5 shall be feeble ; then shall the riches of the wicked be as the
dust of aAvheel, and the multitude of thine oppressors as chaii'
6 blown away : and this shall be as in a moment, suddenly. For
from the Lord of Hosts there will be a visitation — a hurricane
and a devouring flame of fire, with thunder and an earthquake
7 and a mighty noise ; and the wealth of all the nations which
encamped against Ariel, and all they who are warring against
Jerusalem, and all who have been assembled against her, and
those distressing her, shall be like one dreaming dreams by
8 night : and like men who in sleep are eating and drinking, but
when they awake the dream is vain : even as a thirsty man
dreameth that he drinketh, and when he wakcth he is still
athirst, his soul ha^ ing trusted in a shadow : so shall be tlie
wealth of all the nations, who have warred against mount
Sion. —
9 (p) Be sunk hi dejection and stand astonished ; be drunk
10 and reel, not with wine nor strong drink ; for the Lord hath
drenched you Vv'ith a spirit of stupefaction, and will close up
11 the eyes of them and of their prophets and their rulers. As for
your seers of hidden things, all these prophesies will be to you
like the words of a book Avhich is sealed : which Avhen thev
, give to a man skilled in letters, saying, Read this : He will sav,
12 I cannot read it, for it is sealed. And should the l^ook be pwt '
Ch. XXX. ESAIAS.
in the hands of an illiterate man, and they say to him, Read
that, he will say, I do not know letters.
13 The Lord hath indeed said, (J) " This people draw near
to me with their mouth ; and with their lips they honour me ;
but their heart is far from me : and in vain do they worship
14 me, teaching the commands and doctrines of men : therefore,
behold, I will proceed to the removal of this people and I will
remove them ; and destroy the wisdom of the wise, and dark-
15 en the understanding of the prudent." Alas! for them, who
deeply form a design, but not by the Lord. Alas 1 for them,
v/ho form designs in secret, that their works may be in dark-
ness ; and who will say, " Who hath seen us, and who can
16 find out us, or what we do?" Are not you to be considered
as the potter's clay ? Shall the thing formed say to the former
of it, thou hast not made me. Or shall the work say to the
17 workman thou hast not made mewisel}^? Is it not a little
while, ere Libanus shall be changed to a likeness of mount Car-
18 mel? And Carmel be accounted a forest ? And in that day
the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and they in darkness,
even they in thick darkness — the eyes even of the blind
19 shall see ; and the distressed shall exult with joy because of
the Lord ; and the disconsolate among men shall be filled
20 with joy. The lawless one hath failed, and the haughty one is
destroyed, and these are utterly cut off who maliciously com-
2 1 mit iniquity, and who by reasoning cause men to err. But as for
all them who reprove in the gates they will indeed lay a stum-
bling block, because of their having turned aside the righteous
22 one forthe unrighteous, therefore, thus saiththe Lord respecting
the house of Jacob, whom he set apart from Abraham ; "Jacob
will not be ashamed now, nor will he now change his countc-
23 nance ; but when his children shall see my works, because of
me they will hallow my name. They will hallow the Holy
24 One of Jacob, and tremble before the God of Israel. And they
who have erred in spirit will gain knowledge, and the mur-
miirers shall be taught obedience, and the trifling tongues will
learn to speak peace."
-XXX. Sect. 4. " AH rebellious children ! saith the Lord,
you ha^c formed a design, but not by me : and thou hast
Ch. XXX. ESAIAS.
made covenants, but not by my spirit, that you may add sins
to sins.
2 " They are setting out to go down to Egypt, without hav-
ing consulted mc — to be assisted by Pharao and protected by
3 the Egyptians. For the protection of Pharao will be your
shame, and a disgrace to them who have trusted in Egypt.
4 Because generals are unwelcome messengers at Tanis, they
5 shall labour in vain with a people who will be of no service
for assistance; but for a shame and disgrace.
6 This is the vision of the four footed beasts in the desert
A lion and a lion's whelp were in distress and difficulty; and
from them went the asps and the brood of flying serpents,
who carried their wealth on asses and camels to a nation which
could not profit them.
7 In vain and to no purpose will the Eg3φtians help you.
Announce to them, That this application of yours is vain.
8 Nov/ therefore sit down and write these things in a tablet
and make a book that they may be for the appointed time—
9 even for the time to come. Because this is a rebellious peo-
10 pie— lying children, who would not hear the law of God, who
say to the prophets, " Preach not to us," and to them who see
visions, " Speak not to us, nay, speak to us and tell us another
11 error, and turn us from this way, and take from us this path,
and take from us the oracle of Israel."
12 Therefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, because you
have disbelieved these words and placed your hopes on a lie :
and because thou hast murmured, and been confident in this
13 matter; therefore this sin shall be to you like the tottering wall
of a fortified city, which hath been taken by surprise; the fall
14 of which is instantaneous. And its fall shall be like the breaking
of an earthen vessel, the fragments of which are so small that
there cannot be found among them a sherd on which thou
canst carry fire or with which thou canst scoop up a little
water.
1 5 Thus saith the Lord, Lord. The Holy One of Israel, when tliou
Shalt return sighing, then thou shalt be saved, and thou shalt
know m what a situation thou wast, wlicn thou dicfst trust in
these vanities.
'^^OL. III. η
Ch. XXX. ^ ESiVIAS.
16 Your strength was vain, yet you would not hearken, but
said, " We will flee on horses." Therefore flee you shall. And,
" We will mount swift coursers," therefore swift shall be your
pursuers.
17 A thousand shall flee at the voice of one; and at the voice
of five, many thousands shall flee : until you be left like a bea-
con on a mountain, and like a flag staff" upon a hill.
18 (p) But again the Lord will wait to be gracious to you,
and will therefore be exalted for compassionating you. Be-
cause the Lord your God is judge, happy are they who wait
19 for him. Because a holy people will dwell in Sion, and Jerusa-
lem with weeping cried, " Have mercy upon me." There-
fore he will have mercy upon thee. When he heard the sound
20 of thy cry, he hearkened to thee. When the Lord shall have
given you bread of affliction and stinted water, they who lead
thee astray shall no more come near thee. Because thine
21 eyes will see them who are leading thee astray and thine ears
will hear the words of the deceivers behind thee who say. This
22 is the way let us walk in it, whether to the right or left; there-
fore thou wilt defile thine idols plated with silver, and cut to
pieces those overlaid with gold, and scatter them like pollut-
23 ed water and cast them out as dirt. Then shall there be rain
for the seed of thy land, and the bread of the increase of thy
land shall be both abundant and nuti'itive : and thy cattle shall
24 feed in rich and large pastures. Your bulls and your cattle
which till the ground shall eat provender mixed with winnow-
25 ed barley. And there shall be on every lofty mountain, and on
every high hill streams of water in that day, when many shall
26 be perishing and when towers may be falling. And the light of
the moon shall be as the light of the sun; and the light of the
sun shall on that day be seven fold; when the Lord will heal
the bruises of his people, and when he will cure thy painful
wound.
27 Behold the name of the Lord cometh for a time, a burn-
ing wrath. The oracle of his lips with glory is an oracle full of
28 indignation, and the fury of the wrath devoureth like fire; and
his breath is like a sweeping flood in a valley, which will reach
up to the neck and swell to confound nations for their vain
errors.
Ch. XXXI. ESAIAS.
29 When error shall pursue them and overtake them, before
then-face ought not you to rejoice continually and continually go
to my solemnities like them who are celebrating a festival?
Like them who are gladdened you should go with instrument-
30 al music to the mount of the Lord, to the God of Israel. When
the Lord shall cause the glory of his voice to be heard— when,
to display the fury of his arm with wrath and indignation and
consuming fire, he shall utter tremendous thunder, accompa-
31 nied with a furious tempest of rain and hail. For by the voice
of the Lord the Assyrians shall be beaten down by the stroke
with which he will smite them.
52 This indeed he shall have from all around him— from
every place whence they hadahope of that assistance on which
he relied, they will with timbrels and the kithara fight against
33 him, after his rout. Of thee he will previously demand" (and
hast thou not provided for his reign) a deep valley and wood
laid up in piles; the wrath of the Lord will be fire and wood
in abundance like a valley burning with brimstone.
XXXI. Sect. 5. ALAS ! They went down to Egypt for help!
They trusted in horses and chariots; for they have many and
their cavalry is very numerous; and did not rely on theHoly
2 One of Israel, nor did they ask counsel of the Lord. There-
fore he in his wisdom brought evils on them : and that his
word may not be slighted, he will rise up against the houses
3 of wicked men and against this hope of theirs which is vain^
against an Egyptian— a man, not a god— against the flesh of
horses in which there is no help. When the Lord shall lay his
4 hand upon them, then shall these helpers fail and be all de-
troyed together. Because the Lord hath thus said to me,
" As the lion or the young lion will roar over the prey
which he hath taken; and will repeat his roaring over it, until
the mountains are filled with his voice, and the multitude are sub-
duedand terrified at his wrath: so will the Lord of Hosts descend
to encamp on this mountain— on this Sion— on the summits
5 thereof: as birds hover over their young, so will the Lord of
Hosts protect Jerusalem; he will hover over it and sprint for-
ward, and will protect and save it." ^
6 Therefore turn to him, Ο children of Israel, who are tak-
mg deep and wicked counsel.
Ch. XXXir. ESAIAS.
7 Because men will in that day reject the works of their
hands — their idols of silver and gold which their hands have
made; therefore Assur shall fall — not by the sword of a man
of valour, nor shall the sword of a mortal devour him; and he
shall flee — (not from the face of the sword) and the young
9 men shall be for destruction. For with a rock they shall be en-
closed as Avith a rampart, and shall be subdued; and he who
fleeth shall be taken.
Thus sailh the Lord,
"Happy he who hath a seed in Sion and a family in Jeru-
XXXII. salem! For behold a righteous king shall reign
2 and chiefs shall rule with justice. And this man will be one
who hideth his words, and he will be hid as from a rolling
flood. And he will be seen on Sion like a glorious stream in a
3 thirsty land. And they shall no more put confidence in men;
4 but shall apply their ears to hear. And the heart of the weak
will listen attentively; and trifling tongues will soon learn to
5 speak peace. And they will no more order the fool to govern,
6 nor shall thy servants any more command silence. For the fool
will speak foolishly, and his heart will devise vain things; that
he may commit iniquity, and utter error before the Lord in or-
7 der to scatter hungry souls: and the thirsty souls he will send
avv^ay empty. For the counsel of the wicked will devise un-
lawful devices to destroy the poor with unjust pleas; and to
8 baflile the pleas of the poor in judgment. But the pious have
counselled with understanding; and their counsel shall be es-
tablished."
9 Sect. 6 (p) ARISE ye rich women and hear my voice,
10 hearken to my words ye daughters of hope! make mention of
a day of a year in sorrow, with hope. The vintage is destroyed;
it hath failed! must it never come again any more?
11 Be confounded; be grieved, ye confident women! strip;
12 make yourselves bare; gird your loins and beat your breasts,
13 for the lovely field — for the fruitful vine. In this land of my
people shall spring up the thorn and the briar, and joy shall be
taken from every dwelling.
14 Ο rich city! Ο houses wholly forsaken! They shall abandon
city, riches, lovely houses; and until the age the villages shall
be dens — the joy of wild asses, the pastures of flocks, till a
15 spirit come on you from on high. Then will a desert become a
Ch. XXXIII. ESAtAS.
16 Charmel and Charmel will be accounted a forest; and judo'.
ment will make a lasting abode in the desert, and righteous-
17 ness will dwell in Charmel. And the works of righteousness
shall be peace; and righteousness shall enjoy rest. As for them
who have kept up their confidence till that age — his people
18 shall then inhabit a city of peace and dwell secure, and they
19 shall enjoy rest with riches. Though the hail descend, it shall
not reach you: and they who dwell in the forest shall be secure
as they in the plain.
(c) Happy they who sow on every water where the ox and
the ass treadeth!
XXXIII. (p) Woe to them who miserably afflict you; but
none can make you miserable. Even the deceiver doth not
deceive you. The deceivers shall be taken and delivered up
and like a moth on a garment they shall be crushed.
2 (c) Ο Lord, have mercy upon us! for in thee we have
placed our trust. The seed of the rebellious were for destruc-
3 tion: but thou wast our safety in th& time of trouble. At the
terror of thy voice peoples were confounded; for fear of thee
the nations were dispersed.
4 (p) Now your spoils are to be gathered; the spoils both
of small and great. As if one were gathering locusts, so will
they insult you.
5 (c) Holy is the God who dwelleth on high,
(p) Was Sion filled with judgment and justice?
6 (c) By law they were to be delivered up; in treasures is
our safety.
(p) Let there be there wisdom and knowledge and piety
towards the Lord, (These are the treasures of righteousness;)
7 then behold with the dread of you they shall be terrified—
they, of whom you have been afraid, will for fear of you raise
a grievous cry. Messengers will be sent weeping bitterly,
8 suing for peace. For their highways shall be deserted, the
dread of the nations is at an end and the treaty with them
broken. And you will account them common men.
9 The land mourned; Lebanon was ashamed; Saron was be-
come fens; Galilee and Charmel were bare.
10 "ΝοΛν will larise, saith the Lord, now shall I be glorified;
11 now shall I be exalted; now you shall see: now vou shall feel.
Ch. XXXIV. ESAIAS.
The strength of your spirit shall be vain; a fire shall utterly
12 devour you; and nations shall be burned up, as thorns in a
13 field are rejected and burned. The far distant nations shall
hear what I have done, they who are near shall know my pow-
14 er. The transgressors in Sion are fled; terror will seize the un-
godly. Who will tell you that a fire is kindled? who will pro-
15 claim to you the place which is everlasting? He Avho is walk-
ing in righteousness, speaking of a straight Avay; who hateth
iniquity and injustice; who shaketh his hands fi-om bribes;
who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear a bloody sentence;
16 who shutteth his eyes against the appearance of injustice: he
shall dwell in a lofty cavern of a strong rock: bread shall be
given him and his water shall not fail.
17 (p) You shall see a king ^vith glor}*; your eyes shall see a
18 far distant land; your soul will meditate on terror. Where are
the scribes? Where the counsellors? Where is he Λvho num-
1 9 bereth them who are fed — the people small and great? Alas!
they gave no counsel; nor did they understand him whose
Λ -oice was so low that a despised people could not hear, and he
who heareth hath not knowledge.
20 (c) Behold the cit}-Sion is our salvation. Thine eyes will
look upon Jerusalem. It is a rich city composed of tents which
should not be shaken; nor should the pins of her tabernacle
ever be moved, nor its cords broken.
21 (p) Because the name of the Lord is great to you, it shall
be to you a place of streams and canals broad and spacious.
(c) Thou shalt not pass this way; nor shall a galley with oars
22 cross; for my God is great andAviil not pass me by. The Lord
our judge — the Lord our chief — the Lord our king — the
Lord will himself save us.
23 (p) Thy tackling broke, for they had no strength, thy
mast gave Avay. It will not support the sails, nor rear a stand-
ard until it be delivered up for a spoil; therefore many who
are lame will seize the prev: but let not the people who dwell
among these say, "I am wearied out" for their sin is forgiven
them.
XXXIV. Sect. 7 ATTEND Ο nations, and hearken ye chiefs.
Let the earth hear and the inhabitants thereof — The world and
Ch. XXXIV. ESAIAS.
2 the people who are tlierein. Because the wrath of the Lord is
against all the nations, and his anger against this number of
3 them to destroy them and deliver them up to slaughter; there-
fore their Avounded and dead shall be cast out, and the stench
of them shall ascend; and the mountains shall be drenched
4 with their blood; and all the powers of the heavens shall waste
away; and the heaven shall be rolled up like a scroll and all the
stars shall fall like leaves from a vine and as leaves fell from a
fig tree.
5 (J) My sword hath drunk deep in the heaven; behold it
shall come down on Idumea and on the people justly doomed
to destruction.
6 (p) The sword of the Lord hath been glutted with blood;
It IS pampered with suet— with the blood of he-goats and
lambs, and with the suet of goats and rams. Because there is
a sacrifice for the Lord in Bosor, and a great slaughter in Idu -
7 mea; therefore the fatlings shall fall with them, namely tlie
rams and the bulls. And the land shall be drenched with blood
8 and glutted with their suet. For it is the day of the Lord's
vengeance, and the year for a judicial retrilDution to Sion•
9 and Its torrents shall be turned mto pitch, and its land into
10 sulphur. And its land shall be like pitch burning day and
night, and which shall not be extinguished: for a long time
the smoke of it shall ascend. During its generation it shall be
11 desolate. And for a long period fowls and porcupines, ibises
and crows shall d^vell therein. And over it shall be stretched a
Ime of devastation; and in it the onocentaurs shall dwell The
12 chiefs of it shall be no more; for its kings and its nobles shall
13 be for destruction. And in their cities shall spring up brakes•
and brambles shall be its fortresses: and they shall be cots
14 lor Sirens, and for the ostrich's court. And demons shall
meet onocentaurs; and bellow one to the other. Onocen
^ taurs shall there enjoy repose having found for themselves a
1:. place of rest. There the porcupine hath made its nest; and the
and hath safely kept its young. There the deer have asscm-
16 bled and seen each other's face. I counted them and there is
not one of them lost. They have not had occasion to seek each
other: for the Lord hath issued orders to them; and his spirit
17 hath brought them together. And he will himself cast the lots
Ch. XXXV. XXXVI. ESAIAS.
for them, his hand hath meted the place for tliem to feed. —
For a long time you shall inherit it.
(c) For generations of generations let them rest therein.
XXXV. Rejoice, Ο desert ; shout for joy, Ο thirsty desert,
2 and blossom like a lilly. Let the deserts of Jordan also bloom
and rejoice ; to it hath been given the glory of Lebanon and
the honour of Charmel. And my people shall see the glory
of the Lord, and the majesty of our God.
3 Be strong ye hands which are feeble, and ye knees which
4 are without strength. Take comfort ye who are faint hearted;
take courage, be not terrified ; behold our God retributeth
judgment; he will indeed make retribution — he himself will
5 come and save us. Then shall be opened the eyes of the
6 blind ; and the ears of the deaf will hear. Then will the lame
bound like a hart; and the stammering tongue will speak plain.
Because water is burst forth in the desert, and torrents in
7 a thirsty land ; therefore the glowing sand shall become pools,
and for the thirsty soil there will be fountains of water. The
,8 reedy beds and the pools there will be the joy of birds. There
will be there a pure highway, which shall be called The Holy
way. And the unclean shall not come there ; nor shall there be
there an uncleiin way. But as for the dispersed, they shall
9 travel it, and shall not be led astray. No lion shall be there; nor
shall any ravenous beast come up thither, nor ever be found
there ; but in it the redeemed will walk, and they who have
been collected for the Lord. They indeed shall return and
come to Sion with joy, and everlasting joy shall crown their
head : for on their heads will be praise and rapture ; and glad-
ness shall have full possession of them. Pain and sorrow and
sighing are fled.
XXX VL IN the fourteenth year of the reign of Ezekias, Sen-
nacherim king of the Assyrians came up against the fortified
2 cities of Judea, and took them. And the king of the Assyrians
sent Rabsakes from Lakes to Jerusalem, to king Ezekias,
with a great army. And he halted at the canal of the upper
3 pool in the high way to the fuller's field. And to him went out
Eliakim the son of Chelkias the steward, and Somnas the
4 scribe, and Joach son of Asaph the recorder. And Rabsakes
Ch. XXXVI. ESAIAS.
said to them, Tell Ezekias, Thus saith the great king, the king
5 of the Assyrians, On what hast thou placed confidence? Not-
Avithstanding negociation and fair speeches, are not preparati-
ons making for war? Now therefore on whom hast thou relied,
6 that thou rebellest against me ? Behold thy reliance is on that
staff — that staff of reed — that broken reed, Egypt ; on which
if a man lean, it will pierce his hand and go through it. Such
7 is Pharao king of Egypt to all who rely on him. But if you
8 say, "Our confidence is in the Lord our God ; " were you
now in close connexion with miy master the king of the As-
syrians ; and were I to give you two thousand horses ; could
9 you put riders on them ? How then can you revolt and affect
to be petty princes. Those are reduced to slavery who have
10 trusted in the Egyptians for charioteers and cavalry. Besides,
are we now come up without the Lord against this land to war
against it? The Lord hath said to me, Go up against this land
and destroy it.
11 Then Eliakim and Somnas and Joach said to him, Speak
to thy servants in Syriac, for we understand it. Therefore
speak not to us in the Jewish language. Why speakest thou
to the ears of the men on the walls ?
12 Thereupon Rabsakes said to them. Hath my lord sent me
to your lord or to you to speak these words ? Was it not to
those men — to them who are stationed on that wall, that they
may eat dung and drink urine, both they and you together ?
13 Then Rabsakes stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jew-
ish language and said. Hear the words of the great king, the
14 king of the Assyrians, Thus saith the king. Let not Ezekias
15 deceive you with speeches. He cannot deliver you. And let
not Ezekias say to you, God will dehver you ; and this city
shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of the Assy-
16 rians. Hearken not to Ezekias. Thus saith the king of the As-
syrians, If you wish to be happy, come out to me ; and eat,
every one, of his own vine and his own fig trees, and drink water
17 from your own cisterns, until I come and take you to a land
like your own— a land of corn and wine, and of bread and
18 vineyards. Let not Ezekias deceive you saying, God will de-
liver you. Have the gods of the nations, delivered every one
his own country out of the hand of the king of the Ass\Tians ?
VOL, III. Ρ
Ch. XXXVII. ESAIAS.
19 Where is the God of Emath and Arphath ? And where is the
God of the city Eppharuim ? Were they able to deliver Sa-
20 maria out of my hand ? Who is there of all the gods of the
nations who hath delivered his country out of my hand, that
21 God should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? But they were
silent and none answered him a word, because the king had
given a charge that none should answer.
22 Then Eliakim the son of Chelkias the steward, and Som-
nas the secretary at war and Joach the son of Asaph the re-
corder went to Ezekias with their clothes rent and told him
XXXVII. the words of Rabsakes. And when Ezekias heard
them he rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and went up to
2 the house of the Lord. And he sent Eliakim the steward and
Somnas the scribe and the elders of the priests clothed with
sackcloth to Esaias son of Amos the prophet with this message
3 to him, Thus saith Ezekias, " This day is a day of trouble and
of reproach and of rebuke and of wrath; for pangs are come on
a woman in travail and she hath not strength to bring forth.
4 That the Lord thy God may attend to the message of Rab-
sakes which the king of the Assyrians hath sent to reproach
the Living God; and refute the words which the Lord thy
God hath heard, thou shouldst pray to the Lord for these poor
5 remains." So when the servants of king Ezekias came to
6 Esaias he said to them, " Thus shall you say to your lord,Thus
saith the Lord, Be not terrified at the words which thou hast
heard; Avith which the messengers of the king of the Assy-
7 rians have reproached me. Behold I am about to put such a
spirit in him, that he having heard news will return to his
own country: and he shall fall by the sword in his own land."
8 So Rabsakes returned and found the king of the Assy-
rians besieging Lobna, for he heard that he had removed from
Lachis; and Thoraka king of the Ethiopians came out to give
9 him battle. Upon hearing this, he retreated, and sent messen-
10 gers to Ezekias, saying. Thus shall you say to Ezekias king
of Judea, Let not thy God, on whom thou reliest, deceive
thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of
11 tlie king of the Assyrians. Hast thou not heard what the kings
12 of the Assyrians have done? How they have destroyed all the
land? And shalt thou be delivered? Have the gods of the na-
Ch. XXXVII. ESAIAS.
tions delivered them whom my ancestors destroyed? Either
Goza or Charran or Raphath which are in the country of
13 Theemath? Where are the kings of Ε math? And where those
of Arphath? And where those of the city Eppharuim, of Ana-
gougana?
34 When Ezekias received the letter from the messengers
and had read it, he went up to the house of the Lord; and
15 having spread it before the Lord, Ezekias prayed to the
16 Lord, saying, "O Lord of Hosts the God of Israel, who art
enthroned on the cherubim ! Thou alone art the God of every
17 kingdom of the world. Thou hast made the heaven and the
earth. Incline, Ο Lord, thine ear ! Ο Lord, hearken ! Open, Ο
Lord, thine eyes ! Ο Lord, look down and behold the words
of Sennacherim which he hath sent to reproach the Living
18 God. In truth, Ο Lord, the kings of the Assyrians have laid
waste this whole inhabited land and the country of those [here
19 mentioned] and have cast their idols into the fire; for they
were not gods; but works of mens' hands, stocks and stones;
20 therefore they destroyed them. But now, Ο Lord, our God,
save us out of their hands that every kingdom of the earth
21 may know, that thou alone art God." Thereupon Esaias son
of Amos was sent to Ezekias and said to him. Thus saith the
Lord the God of Israel, " I have heard the prayer which thou hast
made to me concerning Sennacherim king of the Assyrians.
This is the word which the Lord hath spoken concerning
him,
22 " The virgin daughter of Sion hath despised thee and
mocked thee; at thee the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken
23 her head; whom hast thou reproached and provoked? or
against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, (without lifting up
24 thine eye to the Holy One of Israel?) That by thy messengers
thou hast reproached the Lord? For thou hast said. By the
multitude of my chariots, I have ascended the height of moun-
tains, and to the utmost limits of Libanus, and cut down the
lofty cedar and beautiful cypress, and entered the stately part
25 of the forest. I have laid bridges and dried up waters and
26 every collection of water." " Hast thou not heard those things
of old which I have done? From ancient times I gave com-
mand and have now pointed out to lay waste nations in strong
Ch. ΧΧΧνΠΙ. ESAIAS.
27 places and them who dwell in fortified cities. I weakened their
hands and they were dried up, and became like dry grass on
28 house tops, and like a blasted ear of corn. And now I know
29 thy resting place and thy going out and thy coming in. As the
rage with which thou hast been inflamed, and thy bitterness
30 are come up to me; I will therefore put a hook in thy nose and
a bridle in thy jaws; and turn thee back by the way in which
thou came St."
31 Now this shall be a sign to thee. Eat this year what thou
hast sown, and in the second year what is left; but in the third
year sow ye and reap; plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof;
32 for they who are left shall continue in Judea. They shall strike
root downwards and bear fruit upwards. For they of Jerusa-
lem shall be left and they of mount Sion shall be saved. The
33 zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this. Therefore thus saith
the Lord, With regard to the king of the Assyrians, he shall
not enter this city; nor shoot an arrow against it; nor present
34 against it a shield; nor enclose it with a rampire. But by the
way which he came, by the same he shall return; and into this
35 city he shall not come. Thus saith the Lord, I will cover this
city with my shield to save it for mine own sake and the sake
of my servant David.
36 So an angel of the Lord went forth and slew of the camp
of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty five thousand. And
when they arose in the morning they found all these dead bo-
37 dies. Thereupon Sennacherim king of the Assyrians retreated
38 and went and dwelt in Ninive. And as he was worshipping, in his
house, Nasarach his ancestor; Adramelech and Sarousai* his
sons smote him with their swords; and, they having made their
escape to Armenia, Asardan his son reigned in his stead.
XXXV in. At that time Ezekias was seized with a mortal
sickness; and Esaias son of Amos, the prophet, came to him
and said to him. Thus saith the Lord, Give orders respecting
thy household, for thou art at the point of death and shall not
2 live. Thereupon Ezekias turned his face to the wall and pray-
3 ed to the Lord, saying, " Ο Lord, remember how I have
walked before thee with truth and with an upright heart, and
have done the things which are pleasing in thy sight." And
4 Ezekias wept bitterly. And a word of the Lord came to Esaias
5 saying, Go and say to Ezekias, Thus saith the Lord, the
Ch. XXXVIII. ESAIAS.
God of thy father David, I have heard thy prayer and seen
6 thy tears, Behold I will add to thy term fifteen'years. And I
will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of
7 the Assyrians and cover this city with my shield. And this
shall be a sign to thee from the Lord, that God will perform
8 this decree. Behold I will bring back the shadow of the steps
the ten steps of the house of thy father, which the sun hath gone
dowTi. I will bring back the sun those ten steps. So the sun re-
ascended the ten steps which the shadow had gone down.
9 The prayer of Ezekias, king ofJudea, when he had been sick,
and was recovered from his sickness.
10 I said in the height of my days I shall go down to the gates
11 of Hades, I shall leave the years which remain. I said, I shall
no more see the salvation of God in the land of the livino•; I
shall no more see the salvation of Israel on the earth; I shall
12 behold man no more. I am cut off from my generation, I haAC
left the remainder of my life. He is gone and departed from
me, like one striking a tent, having just pitched it. My soul
within me was like a web which the weaver was in act to se-
ver from the loom.
15 In that day I was delivered up until morning as to a lion.
So did he break to pieces all my bones. For from day to
14 night I was delivered up. Like a swallow so let me twitter;
and like a turtle dove so let me moan; for mine eyes were too
weak to look up to the vault of heaven — to the Lord who hath
16 rescued me and taken from me the sonOWof my soul. Of this
^ indeed thou, Ο Lord, wast told, and thou hast restored my
17 breath and I am comforted and live. For thou hast rescued
my soul that it should not perish; and hast cast behind thee
18 all my sins. For those in the mansion of the dead cannot praise
thee; nor can the dead return thee thanks, nor they in Hades
19 hope for thy kindness. The living will praise thee even as I do;
20 for from this day I shall raise up children, who will proclaim
this lovingkindness of thine, Ο God of my salvation; and I will
never cease praising thee with a psaltery, all the days of my
life over against the house of God.
21 Now Esaias had said to Ezekias, Take a cake of figs and
22 bruise and apply it as a poultice and thou shalt recover. Where-
upon Ezekias said. Let this be a sign to Ezekias, that I shall
go up to the house of God.
Ch. XXXIX. XL. ESAIAS.
XXXIX. AT the time when Marodach Baladan the son of
Baladan the king of Babylon sent letters and ambassadors and
2 presents to Ezekias (for he heard that he had been sick unto
death and had recovered:) and Ezekias was rejoiced at their ar-
rival and shewed them the house of Nechotha and that of the sil-
ver and of the gold; and that for stacte, and for perfumes and for
myn'h; and all the treasure houses and all that he had in his trea-
3 suries; there being nothing in his house nor in all his dominion
which Ezekias did not shew them; Esaiasthe prophet thenwent
to king Ezekias and said to him, What say those men? And,
whence are they come to thee? And Ezekias said, They are
4 come to me from a far distant land, from Babylon. And Esai-
as said, What have they seen in thy house? To which Ezeki-
as replied, They have seen all that are in my house. There is
nothing in my house which they have not seen: nay, they have
5 seen also what are in my treasuries. Thereupon Esaias said to
6 him, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts! Behold days are
coming, when they shall seize all that are in thy house. And
all that thy fathers have collected even to this day shall go to
7 Babylon; and nothing shall be left behind. Moreover God hath
said, That of thy children whom thou shalt beget, they will
take some and make them eunuchs in the house of the king of
8 the Babylonians. And Ezekias said to Esaias, Good is the
ΛVord of the Lord wihch he spake: let there be, I pray, peace
and righteousness in my days.
XL. Sec. 1 COMFORT ye, comfort ye my people, saith
2 God: Ο priests, speak to the understanding of Jerusalem; com-
fort her; for her humiliation is accomplished; her iniquity is
pardoned: for she hath received from the hand of the Lord
f blessings] double to the punishment of her sins.
3 A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way
4 of the Lord; make straight the roads for our God. Let ever}-
valley be filled up, and every mountain and hill be levelled: and
let all the crooked be made a straight road, and the rough way,
5 smootti plains: and the glory of the Lord will appear: And all
flesh shall see the salvation of God. For the Lord hath spoken.
6 "A voice of one saying, Proclaim." Wherefore I said,
What shall I proclaim? "All flesh is grass; and all the glory of
Ch. XL. JESAIAS.
8 man as a flower of grass. The grass is withered and the flower
fallen; but the word of our God will endure forever."
9 Ascend a lofty mountain, thou who proclaimest good news
to Sion: exalt thy voice with strength, thou who bringest p-lad
tidings to Jerusalem: raise it up; be not afraid; say to the cities
10 of Juda, Behold, your God! behold the Lord! The Lord is
coming with majesty; and his arm with dominion. Behold his
11 reward is with him; and his work, before him. Like a shep-
' herd he will tend his flock; and with his arm he will gather the
lambs, and comfort the ewes that are with young.
12 Who hath measured the water with his hand, and the hea-
ven with a span and the \Wiole earth with a hand breadth? Who
hath weighed the mountains in scales and the dales with a ba-
13 lance? Who hath known the mind of the Lord? and who hath
14 been of his counsel to teach him? or whom hath he consulted that
he might instruct him? or who hath pointed out judgment to
15 him? or who hath shewn him the Avay of knowledge? If all the
nations are as a drop from a cask; and are accounted as the
16 turning of a balance— may be reckoned as spittle; if Lebanon is
not sufficient for a fire, nor all the beasts sufficient for an ho-
17 mage offbring: and all the nations are as nothing and reckoned
18 as nothing: to whom have you likened the Lord? and to what
19 likeness have you compared him? Hath a carpenter when he
hath made an image, or the goldsmith when he hath melted
20 gold and gilded it, prepared this as a likeness of him? for the
carpenter chuseth a sound piece of timber and will inquire
wisely, how he may place his image that it may not be moved.
21 Will you not know? will you not hear? hath it not been told
you from the beginning? have you not known the foundations
22 of the earth? He it is, who occupieth the circuit of the earth;
and the inhabitants thereon areas grasshoppers. He it is, whoes.
tablished the heaven as an arch, and spread it out as a tent to
23 be dwelt in; who giveth chiefs as a nothingness to govern:
24 and hath made the earth as a mere nothing. For they could not
plant nor could they sow, nor could their root strike into the
ground; he blew upon them and they withered, and a whirlwind
will sweep them away like stubble.
25 Now therefore to whom have you likened me; that I mav
26 be exalted? said the Holy One. Raise vour eves upwards and
Ch. XLI. ESAIAS.
take a view: who hath displayed all those? He who bringeth out
his host by number can call them all by name. On the account
of abundant glory, by reason of the mightiness of his power
27 he hath in no wise escaped thy notice; wherefore, thou, Jacob,
shouldst not say, yet what hast thou, Ο Israel, spoken? "My
way is hidden from God" and, "My God hath put off my cause
28 and is gone." Hast thou then not known? hast thou not heard?
The everlasting God, the God who fitted up the ends of the
earth, cannot hunger, nor can he be weary; nor can his under-
29 standing be searched out. He it is Λvho giveth strength to the
30 hungry and grief to them who have not had sorrow. For
youths will hunger and young men be weary, and chosen war-
31 riors will become strengthless; but they who wait upon God
shall have new strength; they shall put forth fresh feathers
like eagles; they shall run and not be wearied; they shall march
on and shall not faint.
XLI. (J) Dedicate yourselves to me, Ο Islands, for the
Archons will gather new strength. Let them draw near and
confer together, then let them announce judgment.
2 Who raised up righteousness from the East — called upon
it to attend his steps? when he marcheth on, he will exhibit it
before nations and confound kings and dash their swords to
the ground, and their bows shall be driven away like stubble^
3 When he pursueth them, the road for his feet shall pass
4 through to peace. Who hath performed and done these things?
He who called that righteousness — who from the generations
of the beginning is calling it — I God the First, and to the suc-
ceeding ages, THE I AM.
5 The nations saw and were affrighted; the ends of the earth
6 drew near and came together. Every one is determining to
help his neighbour and his brother, and one will say. The
7 carpenter had strength, so had the smith who beateth with a
hammer and plateth it. Sometimes indeed one will say, "It is
a beautiful composition?" These things they made strong with
nails; they will fix them up that they may not be moved: but
8 thou Israel my servant; thou Jacob, whom I have chosen;
9 thou seed of Abraham whom I loved! have I not taken thee
from the ends of the earth, and from the speculations thereof
called thee, and said to thee, Thou art my servant I have cho-
Ch. XLI. ESAIAS.
10 sen thee and have not forsaken thee. Fear not, for I am with
thee; be not led astray, for I am thy God. I have strengthened
thee and helped thee, and secured thee with my just right
11 hand. Behold all thine adversaries shall be ashamed and con-
founded; for they shall be as nothing and all thine opponents
12 shall be destroyed. Thou mayst seek but thou shalt not find
the men, who through drunkenness will dare to insult thee.
For they shall be as mere nothing: and they who war against
13 thee shall be no more. For I am thy God, who have hold
14 of thy right hand, and who say to thee, Fear not, Ο Jacob,
Ο diminutive Israel ! I have helped thee, saith thy God,
15 who redeemeth thee, Ο Israel. Behold I have made thee
like the wheels of a wain bruising to pieces a brood of pige-
16 ons: thou indeed shalt grind mountains and reduce hills to
small pieces, and make them like dust: and thou shalt win-
now them ; and a wind shall take them up, and a whirl-
wind shall sweep them away; but thou shalt be gladdened
17 in the sanctuaries of Israel; and the poor and the needy
shall exult with joy : for when they shall seek water and
there shall be none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I
the Lord their God, I the God of Israel will hear and will not
18 forsake them; but will open rivers on the mountains, and foun-
tains in the midst of plains: I will turn the wilderness into wa-
19 tery fens, and with streams refresh the thirsty ground. And I
will plant in the dry wilderness the cedar and box, the myrtle
20 and cypress and elm: that they may see and know, and consi-
der and understand at once that the hand of the Lord hath
done these things; even what the Holy One of Israel hath
pointed out.
21 The trial of you is near, saith the Lord God; your coun-
22 cils are nigh at hand, saith the king of Jacob ; let them draw
near and tell you what will happen, or such things as these be-
fore they come to pass. Tell us that we may apply our under-
standing, and that we may know the final issue, and the train
23 of events leading to it. Tell us, announce to us the things in
successive train to the issue ; and we will acknowledge that
you are gods. Confer favours and inflict punishments, and we
24 will pay respect and see at once, that wherever you are thence
is your operation.
VOL. Ill, f^
Ch. XLII. ESAIAS.
They have chosen you an abomination from the earth ;
25 but I have raised up that one from the north, and that other
from the risings of the sun ; they shall be called by my name :
let the Archons come, and as the clay of a potter — even as a
26 potter treadeth clay so shall you be trampled down. Who now
can tell these things from the beginning, that we may know,
e\'en these things before hand : that we may say. The predic-
tion is true. There is none who predictcth, nor doth any one
27 hear your words. I will first give notice to Sion and I will
28 comfort Jerusalem on the way. For of the nations behold
there is none, and of the idols none giveth warning. And
should I ask them. Whence are you ? They could not make
29 me any answer. For are these they who made you ? They
are indeed those who vainly lead you astray.
XLII. Sect. 2. (J) JACOB is my servant, I will uphold him,
Israel is my chosen one, my soul hath embraced him ; I have
put my spirit upon him ; he will publish judgment to the na-
2 tions. He will not scream, nor urge with vehemence : nor
3 will his voice be heard abroad in the streets. A bruised reed
he will not break, nor extinguish a dimly burning taper ; but
4 will publish judgment to establish truth. He will shine out,
and shall not be broken until he hath established judgment on
the earth. In his name therefore let the nations trust.
5 Thus saith the Lord, the God who made the heaven and fix-
ed it; who established the earth and the things therein and who
giveth vital air to the people on it, and breath to them who tread
6 thereon; I the Lord God have called thee for saving mercy, and
I will take hold of thy hand and strengthen thee ; for I have
given thee for the covenant of a race — for the light of nations :
7 to open the eyes of the blind; to lead out from chains them who
are bound, and out of prison, them who are sitting in darkness.
8 I am the Lord God ; this is my name : this glory of mine
I will not give to another, nor these powers of mine to the
9 graven idols. With regard to the former predictions, behold
they are come to pass ; and these are new tilings which I
now declare ; and before their promulgation, they are revealed
to vou.
Ch. XLII. ESAIAS. ^
10 ^ (p) Sing to the Lord a new song, ye, his government! praise
his name, ye from the utmost border of the earth, ye who go
down on the sea and navigate it, ye islands, and ye who dwell
11 therein. Let the desert be glad and the villages thereof; the
folds for flocks and them who inhabit Kedar : let the inhabi-
tants of Petra rejoice ; let them shout from the top of the
12 mountains : to this God let them ascribe glory ; let them pro-
13 claim his powers among the isles. The Lord God of Hosts
will come forth and tread down battle ; he will rouse up his
zeal, and shout against his enemies with majesty.
14 (J) I have been silent; but shall! always keep silence
and forbear? Like a woman in travail I have endured suffer-
15 ing ; I will strike with astonishment and wither at once. I will
lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all the herbage on
16 them. I will make rivers islands and drv up pools, and lead
the blmd in a way which they know not,' and cause them to
walk m paths which they have not known. For them I will
make the darkness light, and the crooked wavs a straight road.
17 These things I will do, and Twill not forsake them : but as
for them they have turned backwards ! be whelmed in shame,
ye who trust in graven images— who say to the molten imae-es!
ye are our gods.
18 (p) Heai•, Ο ye deaf; and ye blind, look up that you may
see. — "^
19 (J) Who indeed is blind but my servants ? And deaf but
those who rule over them ? Even the servants of God are be-
20 come bhnd. You have seen again and again but have not re-
garded : your ears have been opened, but you did not hear.
oo 1 • .; f ""^ ^^^ "^^^^ ^"^ ^ determination, that he mi^ht
22 be justified and might magnify praise. Whereupon I beheld
and the people were plundered and dispersed: for the snare
was every where in the private chambers, and in the houses
also where they had hidden themselves. They Avere for a prev
and there was no rescuer_for a spoil; and there was none
ο who saKl, Restore. Who is there among you who will give
24 ear to these thmgs ? Attend to those leading causes, for whLh
he hath given Jacob for a spoil, andlsrael to them who plun-
(J) Jehovah, (p) the prophet.
Ch. XLIIi. ESAIAS.
dered him. Hath not God, against whom they sinned, and in
whose wa3's they would not walk, and whose law they would
25 not obey — hath not he brought upon them his fierce anger?
(J) Though war prevailed over them, and they who were
burning them up were all around, yet they did not, any of them,
XLIII. know, nor lay it to heart. Still ho^vever thus saith the
Lord, the God Avho made thee Ο Jacob, and who formed thee,
Ο Israeli fear not. Because I have redeemed thee — have call-
2 ed thee by thy name — thou art mine ; therefore when thou
passest through water, I am with thee, and the streams shall
not overwhelm thee : and when thou passest through fire,
thou shalt not be burned up — the flame shall not quite con-
sume thee.
3 Because I the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel am
thy Saviour, I have given Egypt for thy ransom and Ethiopia
4 and Soena in thy stead. Because thou hast been precious in
my sight — hast been honoured and I loved thee ; therefore
5 I will give men for thee and chiefs for thy life. Fear not. Be-
cause I am with thee, from the east I will bring thy seed, and
6 gather thee together from the west : I will say to the north,
*' Give up" and to the south, " Keep thou not back ; bring
my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the
7 earth — all that are called by my name." For I have prepared
8 him for my glory, I have fashioned him and made him, and
have brought out a blind people : for their eyes are as if they
were blind ; and they are deaf, though they have ears.
9 (p) All the nations were assembled together ; now let all
the archons be assembled : can any among them announce
these things ? Or can any tell you these things before hand ?
Let them produce their witnesses and be justified, and let them
hear and tell things true.
10 (J) Be you witnesses for me : and as for me I myself am
a witness saith the Lord God ; and this servant of mine whom,
I have chosen ; that you may know and believe and under-
stand that with respect to me. The I am, There is no other
1 1 God before me ; and after me none will exist. I am God and
12 there is no Saviour besides me. I have announced and saved;
I reproached when there was no strange god among you. You
33 are witnesses for me ; and I the Lord am still the same God.
€h. XLIV. ESAIAS.
from the beginning ; and there is none who can rescue out of
14 my hands. I will act ; and who can prevent it — Thus saith
the Lord, the God who redeemed you, the Holy One of Is-
rael; For your sakes I will send to Babylon, and rouse up all
who are fleeing ; and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.
15 I am the Lord God, your Holy One, who pointed out Israel
your king.
16 Thus saith the Lord who made a highway in a sea, and a path
17 in the mighty water; who brought out chariots and horses and a
mighty host, but they lay down to sleep and shall rise no more :
i8 they were extinguished like an extinguished taper. Mention
not these former things, nor reason from the things of old. Be-
19 hold I am in act to do new things, which shall now spring up
and you shall know them — I will make a way in the wilderness,
20 and streams of water in the desert. The wild beasts of the field
ΛνίΙΙ bless me — the Seirens and the daughters of the ostrich ;
because I have given water in the wilderness, and flowing
streams in the desert, to give drink to this race of mine which
211 have chosen — my people Avhom I have preserved to recount
my praises.
22 I had not now called upon thee, Jacob, nor caused thee,
23 Israel, to weary thyself : thou hadst not brought me thy sheep
of thy whole burnt oflTering ; nor honoured me with thine in-
cense offerings : I had not burdened thee with sacrifices of
24 flour ; nor wearied thee with demands of frankincense : nor
hadst thou purchased with silver perfumes for me ; nor had I
desired the suet of thy sacrifices : but thou stoodest before
25 me in thy sins and in thine iniquities. I even I, THE I AM,
am he who blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake;
26 and of thy sins I will no more make mention : but do thou
mention them and let us be judged ; do thou first state thy
transgressions, that thou mayst be acquitted.
27 Your fathers first, then your chiefs transgressed against
28 me. When the chiefs polluted my sanctuary, then I gave up
XLIV. Jacob to be destroyed, and Israel to reproach. But now,
hear, Ο Jacob my servant, and thou Israel, whom I have cho-
2 sen; Thus saith the Lord, the God who made thee, and who
formed thee from the womb, still thou shalt be helped. Fear
not, thou my servant Jacob, and thou, beloved Israel, whom
Ch. XLIV. ESAIAS.
3 I have chosen: for I will give water in their thirst to them who
are travelling in a desert. I will put my spirit on thy seed, and
4 my blessings on thy children; and they shall spring up like
grass among water, and like a willow by the side of a flowing
5 stream. One will say, " I belong to God;" and another will
call himself by the name of Jacob; and another will write on
his hand, " I belong to God," and will surname himself by
the name of Israel.
6 Sect. 3. THUS saith God, the King of Israel, and his Re-
deemer, the God of Hosts, I am the first and I am the last : be-
7 sides me there is no God. Who is like me? Let him stand up
and call and announce, and make ready for me : In as much as
I have made a man for this age, let them now tell you the
8 train of events before they come to pass. Hide not yourselves
nor be led astray. Have you not heard from the beginning?
And have I not told you? You are witnesses whether there be
any God besides me. And have not then the fashioners and
9 engravers heard? They are all fools making things to please
10 their fancies — things which cannot profit them : but shame
shall cover these god makers, and all the engravers of these
1 1 useless things. When all by whom they were made are dried
up; then let all the stupid among men be collected and stand
together, and let them be confounded and ashamed together :
12 for the carpenter sharpened an axe, with a hatchet he model-
led it; then he put it into a lathe and with his strong arm fash-
ioned it. Though he be hungry and faint, he must not drink
water.
13 The carpenters having chosen apiece of wood framed it
by rule and glued the parts together, and made it in the form
of a man and with the comeliness of a man, to set it in a house.
14 He cut wood from the forest which the Lord planted — a pine
15 tree, which the rain had nourished, that it might be fuel for the
use of man : and having taken some of it he warmed himself;
and with other pieces they made a fire and baked cakes, and
16 of the residue they made gods and worshipped them. Did he
not burn half of it in the fire, and, with the coals of that half,
bake cakes; and having roasted meat Avith it did he not eat and
was satisfied; and when warmed say, " Aha ! I am warmed, I
Gh. XLIV. ESAIAS.
17 have enjoyed the fire?" Yet of the residue he made a carved
god, and worshippeth it, and prayeth to it, saying, " Dehver
me, for thou art my God."
18 They had not sense to think; for they were so involved in
darkness that they could not see with their eyes, nor under-
19 stand with their hearts: nor did any reason in his mind, nor by
his understanding recollect, that he had burned half of it in the
fire, and on the coals thereof baked cakes, and had roasted
flesh and eaten, and of the residue had made an abomination;
20 so they bow themselves down to it. Know thou that their
heart is ashes, and they are led astray and none can deliver his
soul. Take a view of it, will you not say, " There is indeed
a lie in my right hand?"
21 Remember these things, Ο Jacob, even thou Israel, for
thou art my servant. I have made thee my servant; therefore
22 Ο Israel do not thou forget me. For, lo ! I have made thy
transgressions vanish like a cloud— and thy sins like the mur-
ky vapour. Return to me and I will redeem thee.
23 (c) Rejoice, Ο heavens ! because God hath compassionat-
ed Israel. Utter sounds of joy, ye foundations of the earth !
Burst forth into songs, ye mountains and hiUs, and all ye trees
which are thereon! Because God hath redeemed Jacob and
Israel shall be glorified.
24 Sect. 4. (J) THUS saith the Lord, Avho redeemed thee—
even He who formed thee from the womb; I am the Lord the
Maker of all things; I alone stretched out the heavens and
25 firmly established the earth. Who else can dispel from the
heart die signs of belly speakers and divinations? I am he who
26 turneth sages backwards and maketh their counsel fooKsh; but
establisheth the word of his servant, and verifieth the counsel
of his messengers— who saith to Jerusalem, " Thou shalt be
mhabited;" and to the cities of Idumea, "Ye shall be re-
27 builded, and in its deserts vegetation shall spring up:" Who
saith to the deep. Thou shalt be wasted, and I will dry up the
28 rivers : who saith, to Cyrus [I will give] wisdom, and he shall
execute all my pleasure. Who saith to Jerusalem, " Thou
(c) the chorus.
Ch. XLV. ESAIAS.
shalt be rebuilded and the house dedicated to me I will found.
XLV. Thus saith the Lord God, For mine anointed, for Cyrus,
(whose right hand I have taken hold of that nations may lis-
ten before him) I will break the power of kings; I will open
2 gates before him, and cities shall not be shut up. I will go be-
fore thee and level mountains; I will break in pieces the gates
3 of brass, and burst asunder the bars of iron; and give thee trea-
sures of darkness — deep, hidden, unseen treasures I will dis-
close to thee, that thou mayst know, that I, the Lord thy God,
who calleth thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and of Israel my cho-
sen one, I will call thee by thy name and receive thee kindly.
5 As for thee, thou didst not know me. Because I am the Lord
God and there is no God else besides me; I strengthened thee
6 when thou didst not know me; that they from the risings of
the sun and they from its goings down may know, that there is
no God besides me. I the Lord am God and there is none else.
7 It was I who provided light and made darkness; who make
peace and create evils : I the Lord God am he who doth all
these things.
8 (c) Let the heaven above be glad; and the clouds shower
down righteousness. Let the earth spring and bloom with
mercy and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it.
9 (J) I the Lord am he who created thee. Is any thing en-
dowed with excellence? I fashioned it like the clay of a pot-
ter. Will the ploughman plough the ground all the day long?
Will the clay say to the potter, '' What art thou making? Or
the work to the \vorkman, " Thou hast not hands." Will the
10 thing formed reply against him who formed it? Will one say
to his father, What wilt thou beget? Or to his mother, What
11 art thou bringing forth? Wherefore thus saith the Lord God,
the Holy One of Israel, even he who made the train of events;
Do you question me concerning my children; and concerning
12 the works of my hands give me directions ! It was I who made
the earth and man on it : it was I who with my hand establish-
13 ed the heaven : it was I who gave direction to all the stars. It
is I who have raised him up with righteousness to be king;
and all his ways shall be straight. He shall rebuild this city of
mine, and send back the captives of this my people, not for
ransom nor reward, said the Lord of Hosts.
Ch. XL VI. ESAIAS.
14 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, That for which Egypt la-
boured and the traffick of the Ethiopians, and the Sabeans men
of tall stature shall come over to thee ; and they shall be thy
vassals and shall follow thee bound with chains. Thev will
come over to thee and pay thee homage and pray to thee be-
cause God is in thee.
15 (c) There is indeed no God besides thee. For thou art
16 God and we knew it. The God of Israel is a Saviour: let all
that oppose him be shamed and confounded and in shame let
them march along.
17 (J) Dedicate yourselves to me, ye islands! The Lord
hath saved Israel with an everlasting salvation. They shall not
18 be put to shame nor confounded any more forever. Thus saith
the Lord who made the heaven, the same God who displayed
the earth to view, and who, having made it, parcelled it out : he
did not make it to be Λvaste, but formed it to be inhabited : I
19 am the Lord and there is none else. I have not spoken in se.
cret nor in an obscure part of the earth. I have not said to the
seed of Jacob, Seek ye a vain thing. I am THE I AM, the
20 Lord, who speak righteousness and proclaim truth. Assemble
yourselves together and come; consult together ye who escape
from among the nations. They are devoid of knowledge, Avho
carry the wood — their carved image; and who pray to gods
21 which cannot save them. If they will proclaim, let them draw
near and know at once, who hath published these things from
the beginning : then let them be announced to you. I am God
and there is no other besides me ; a just God and a saviour be-
22 sides me there is none. Turn to me and ye shall be saved, ye
from the farthest part of the earth, I am God and there is none
23 else. By myself I swear (righteousness shall proceed from my
mouth; my words shall not be reversed) that to me every knee
shall bow and every tongue shall swear, with respect to God,
24 saying, Righteousness and glory shall come to him, and all that
25 make distinctions among them shall be ashamed. On account
of the Lord they shall be acquitted; and in God all the seed of
Israel will glory.
XL VI. Sect. 5. BEL is fallen; Nabo is broken to pieces.
Their graven images were a load for wild beasts and cattle.
VOL. III. «
Ch. XLVIl. ESAIAS.
You are carrying them bound like a burden on the weary,
2 fainty, and hungry, who are all without strength and unable to
escape from battle; and as for them, they are carried away
captives !
3 Hearken to me Ο house of Jacob and all ye remnant of
Israel, who have been carried from the womb, and instructed
4 from childhood to old age; I am the self existent, even till you
groAv old, I am, I sustain you : I made you and I will bear with
5 you; I will lift you up and I will save you. To what have you
6 likened me? Look ! Contrive, ye wanderers ! Collecting gold
from a bag, and silver by Λveight they will put it in a balance;
and having hired a goldsmith they made handiworks and
7 boAving themselves down they will worship them. They carry
it on the shoulder and move on ; but if they set it in its place,
there it reraaineth. It cannot move itself. And if any one cry
to it, it cannot hear, nor can it save him from evils.
8 Remember these things and groan; reform, ye who have
9 been led astray: return with the heart and remember the things
10 of old, that I am God and there is none besides me, who can
declare events before they happen, as if they were already ac-
complished. When I have spoken, all my counsel shall stand;
11 and all that I have determined, I will effect. Calling from the
east a winged fowl, even from a far distant land, for purposes
which I have resolved on, I have spoken and brought, I• have
created and made, I have brought it and made its way pros-
perous.
12 Hear me, ye who have lost understanding — who are far
13 from righteousness! I have brought my saving mercy near; and
the salvation which is from me I will not delay. I have placed
in Sion salvation for Israel, for a subject of glory.
XL VII. Come down, sit on the ground, Ο virgin daughter of
Babylon! Sit on the ground, Ο daughter of the Chaldeans! for
2 thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate! Take a mill-
stone and grind corn. Doff thy veil; uncover thy grey locks.
3 Make bare thy leg: wade through rivers. Thy shame shall be
exposed; thy nakedness shall be seen.
4< This vengeance I will take on thy account and no more de-
liver thee up to men. Thy deliverer is the Lord of Hosts, his
name is the Holy One of Israel.
Ch. XL VIII. ESAIAS.
5 Sit in compunction: enter into darkness, Ο daughter of
the Chaldeans! thou shalt no more be called the strength of a
6 kingdom. I was angry with my people: thou didst pollute my
heritage, I delivered them into thy hand: and thou didst shew
them no mercy. The yoke of the aged thou madest very hea-
7 vy, and saidst, I shall be empress forever. These things did
not enter thy heart; nor didst thou call to mind what might at
8 last befal thee. Now, therefore, hear these things, thou vo-
luptuary ! thou who art seated at ease, who thinkest thyself
secure; who sayest in thy heart; "I am and there is none else.
I shall not sit a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children."
9 But now upon tliee shall come these two things, suddenly, in one
day. The loss of children and widowhood shall come suddenly
on thee, in the midst of thy sorcery, in the full strength of thy
10 mighty inchantments. Confiding in thy wickedness thou indeed
saidst; "I am and there is none else." Know thou, the consci-
ousness of these things and thy whoredom shall be thy shame.
1 1 Thou indeed saidst in thy heart, "I am and there is none else; " but
upon thee shall come destruction, and thou shalt not know
a pit; and into it thou shalt fall. Yes, upon thee shall come mi-
sery, of which thou shalt not be able to rid thyself: and destruc-
tion shall come upon thee suddenly of which thou wilt have no
12 apprehension. Persist now in thine incantations and in thy
manifold sorcery, which thou hast learned from thy youth: if
13 thou canst be benefited by them. Thou hast wearied thyself
with thy counsels: let the astrologers now stand up and save
thee — let them who gaze on the stars tell thee what is instant-
14 ly coming upon thee. Behold like brambles on a fire they shall
all be burned up; and shall not deliver their ΟΛνη life from the
flame. Seeing thou hast coals of fire, sit upon them; Avill they
1 5 give thee relief? Thou hast wearied thyself with this traffic from
thy youth. The men have wandered away, every one to his
own home; but for thee there shall be no safety.
XL VIII. Hear these things, ye house of Jacob, ye who are
called by the name of Israel! ye who are descendants of Juda!
ye who swear by the name of the Lord God of Israel, making
2 mention of it, but not with truth, nor with righteousness; and who
stay themselves on the name of this holy city, and rely for sup-
port on the God of Israel, whose name is the Lord of Hosts.
Ch. XL VIII. ESAIAS.
3 I have already told you former things: when they proceed-
ed from my mouth and were published, I did them speedily
4 and they came to pass. I know that thou art of an untractable
temper, that thy neck is a sinew of iron and thy brow, brass;
5 therefore I told thee beforehand what would come upon thee;
I published them that thou mightest not say, "The idols have
done this to me," nor say, "The graven or molten images have
6 ordered it for me," you have heard all these things, and did
not yourselves know them. But now I have made thee hear
7 new things, which shall hereafter come to pass. Yet hast thou
not said, "Things done now and not formerly!" Yes, never in
former days didst thou hear these things. Thou shouldst not
8 say, "Indeed I know them." Thou didst neither knownor didst
thou believe, nor did I from the beginning open thine eai*: for
I knew that, being in rebellion, thou wilt continue to rebel and
wilt still be called a transgressor from the womb.
9 For mine own name's sake I will shew thee my wrath, and
bring upon thee my marvellous things; that I may not cut thee
10 off utterly. Behold I sold thee; but not for money; and I have
1 1 rescued thee out of the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake
I will deal with thee; because my name hath been profaned,
and my glory I will not give to another.
12 Hearken to me, Ο Jacob! and thou Israel whom I call. I
13 am the first and am forever. My hand hath founded the earth,
and my right hand hath established the heaven. Let me sum-
14 mon them and let them stand together. Let them all be assem-
bled and listen. Who hath told them these things? I who love
thee have executed thy will on Babylon, to take away the seed
15 of the Chaldeans. I have spoken, I have called, I have brought
16 him, and have made his way prosperous. Draw near to me
and hear these things: from the beginning I have not spoken in
secret. When it was doing I was there. And now the Lord,
Lord hath sent me and his spirit.
17 Thus saith the Lord who hath redeemed thee, the Holy One
of Israel, I am thy God. I pointed out to thee, how to find the
18 way in which thou shouldst walk. And hadst thou hearkened to
my commandments thy peace would have been like a river
19 and thy righteousness like a wave of the sea; and thy seed
would have been as the sand, and the issue of thv bowels as
Ch. XLIX. ESAIAS.
the dust of the ground. Still however thou shalt not be utterly
20 cut off; nor shall thy name perish from before me. Haste out
of Babylon! flee from the Chaldeans: proclaim the joyful news:
and let this be published. Proclaim even to the end of the
earth — Say " The Lord hath delivered his servant Jacob; and
if they shall thirst (for he will lead them through a desert) a
rock shall be cleft and water shall gush forth, that my people
21 may drink." There is no peace, saith the Lord, for the wicked.
XLIX. Sect, 6. (M) HEARKEN to me, Ο isles; and ye
nations attend! (After a long time one will stand up saith the
Lord.)
From my mother's womb he mentioned my name and
2 made my mouth like a sharp sword and hid me under the co-
ver of his hand. He made me like a chosen shaft, and in his
3 quiver kept me concealed, and said to me, "Thou Israel art
4 my servant, and by thee I shall be glorified." Whereupon I
said, I have laboured in vain; for vanity and for nought I have
spent my strength; therefore my cause is with the Lord; and
5 my labour is before my God. And nov/ thus saith the Lord
who formed me from the womb. To be his servant to gather
Jacob to him, and Israel. I shall be gathered and glorified be-
6 fore the Lord. And my God will be my strength. Moreover
he said to me. Is it a great thing for thee to be called my ser-
vant to re-establish the tribes of Jacob and bring back the dis-
persion of Israel? Behold I have given thee for the covenant of
a race — for the light of nations; that thou mayst be for salvation
to the farthest part of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord who delivered thee — the God of Isra-
el, "Hallow him who despised his life, him who was abhorred
by the nations, the slaves of the Archons. Kings shall see him
and chiefs shall rise up and they shall worship him for the sake
of the Lord; because the Holy One of Israel is faithful, there-
fore I have chosen thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, "In an acceptable time I have heark-
ened to thee, and in a day of salvation helped thee; and have
formed thee and given thee for the covenant of nations that
thou mayst reduce the earth to order and possess desolate he-
(M) The Messiah.
Ch. XLIX. ESAIAS.
9 ritages, saying to them who are m bonds, Go forth; and to
them who are in darkness, *'Come into light." In all the high-
ways they shall be fed, and there shall be pasture for them in
10 all the paths. They shall not hunger nor shall they thirst, nor
shall the burning wind nor the sun smite them; but he who
hath compassion on them will comfort them and lead them to
11 bursting springs of water. And I will make every mountain a
12 highway, and every path a pasture for them. Behold they from
afar shall come, some from the north and the west and others
from the land of the Persians."
13 (c) Rejoice Ο heavens; and let the earth be glad, let the
mountains resound with bursts of joy; for God hath compas-
sionated his people, and comforted those. of his people who
were afflicted.
14 (M) Hath Sion then said, "The Lord hath quite forsaken
15 me," and, " Why hath the Lord forgotten me?" can a wo-
man forget her child? or not have compassion on the offspring
of her womb? Grant that a Avoman may forget even these, but
16 ί will not forget thee, said the Lord. Behold I have engraven
thy walls on my hands; and thou art continually before me.
17 And thou shalt be speedily rebuilt by them who destroyed thee;
18 and they who laid thee waste shall become thine offspring. Look
up with thine eyes all around and view them all; behold they
are gathered together and coming to thee. As I live saith the
Lord, Thou shalt clothe thyself with them all, as with rai-
19 ment, and wrap them about thee as a bride doth her dress. Be-
cause thy waste and desolate and ruinated places will now be
too narrow for the inhabitants, and they who devoured thee
20 shall be removed far from thee; therefore thy sons whom thou
hast lost will say in thine ears. This place is too strait for me:
21 make room forme, where I may dwell. Whereupon thou wilt
say in thy heart, Who hath begotten these for me? I indeed
was childless. and a widow, Who then hath brought up these
for me? I was abandoned and alone; whence then have I these?
22 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, Behold I will lift up my hand
to the nations, and I will erect my standard for the isles. And
they shall bring thy sons in their bosoms and carry thy daugh-
23 ters on their shoulders: and kings shall be thy foster fiithers;
and their queens thy niirsmg mothers. And on the face of the
Ch. L. ESAIAS.
ground they shall pay thee homage, and lick the dust of thy
feet. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord, and that they
who wait for me shall not be ashamed.
24 (a) Can any one take spoils from a giant ?
(b) And if any one captivate unjustly shall he be safe.
25 For thus saith the Lord, When one captivateth a giant he shall
take spoils.
(a) But can one take from a mighty man and be safe ?
(b) But it is I who vindicateth thy cause, and I will de-
26 liver thy children. And they who afflicted thee shall eat their
own flesh, and drink like new wine their own blood and be
made drunk ; and all flesh shall know that it is I the Lord who
delivered thee. And who uphold the strength of Israel.
L. Thus saith the Lord, Of what sort was the bill of your
mother's divorce with which I divorced her ? Or to what ere-
ditor have I sold you ? Behold you were sold for your trans-
gressions ; and for your iniquities I divorced your mother.
2 Why, when I came, was there no man ? And why, when I
called, did none answer? Is my hand unable to save ? Or have
I no power to rescue ? Behold with my rebuke I can dry up
the sea, and make the rivers a desert, so that the fishes thereof
3 shall shrivel for want of water, and die for thirst. I can clothe
the heaven with darkness, and make its covering like sack-
cloth.
4 The Lord Lord giveth me an instructed tongue, to know
when it is proper to speak a word. He gave it me in the mom-
5 ing ; he gave me in addition an ear to hear. And the instruc-
tion of the Lord, Lord openeth mine ears and I am not rebel-
6 lious, nor do I gainsay. My back I have given to scourges, and
my cheeks to be slapped with an open hand, and I turned not
7 my face from the shame of spittles. Indeed the Lord Lord was
my helper ; therefore I was not ashamed, but kept my coun-
tenance firm as a rock. I knew indeed that I should not be
confounded, because he who justified me is near at hand.—
8 Who is he that contendeth with me? Let him stand up with me
face to face. Yes, let my accuser, \vhoever he be, come near
9 me. Behold the Lord, Lord will be my advocate ; who can do
(a) An objection stated, (b) The answer.
Ch. LI. ESAIAS.
me any evil? Behold you shall all wax old like a mantle, and the
moth shall consume you.
10 Who is there among you who feareth the Lord, let him
hearken to the voice of his servant. Ye who walk in darkness
and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord and stay your-
11 selves on God. Behold you are all kindling a fire and increas-
ing the flame; walk in the light of your fire and by the flame
which you have kindled. On my account these things have be-
fallen you. You shall lie down in sorrow.
LI. Hearken to me ye who are in pursuit of righteousness
and who are seeking the Lord. Look at that hard rock which you
have been hewing, and into that deep pit which you have dig-
2 ged. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who brought
you forth. For he was an individual when I called him; and I
3 blessed him and loved him and multiplied him. And now Ο
Sion, I will comfort thee. I have indeed comforted all her de-
solations, and I will make her waste places like a garden; and
those west of her like the garden of the Lord. In her shall be
found joy and gladness, thanksgiving and the sound of praise.
4 Hear me; hear me, Ο my people, and ye kings; listen to me;
for from me shall proceed a law; and my judgment shall be for
5 the light of nations. My deliverance is approaching speedily, and
my salvation shall go forth as light; and on mine arm nations will
6 rely. The islands will expect me and on mine arm they will rely.
Turn up your eyes to heaven; then look down on the earth
below ! for the heaven is like smoke condensed, and the
earth shall grow old like a garment, and like those things the
inhabitants shall perish: but my salvation shall endure forever,
and my saving mercy shall never fail.
7 Hearken to me, ye who know judgment; ye people, in
whose heart is my law. Fear not the reproach of men, nor be
8 overcome by their contempt. For they are like a garment
which shall be worn out by time, and like woollens which shall
be devoured by a moth; but my saving mercy shall endure
forever, and my salvation to generations of generations.
9 Awake, awake, Ο Jerusalem ! and clothe thyself with the
strength of thine arm. Awake as at the beginning of day.
10 Art thou not as the generation of old, which dried up the sea
— the swelling water of the deep? Which made the depths of
11 the sea α road for the delivered and redeemed to pass? For
Ch. LII. ESAIAS.
under the guidance of the Lord they shall be brought back,
and shall come to Sion with joy and everlasting gladness; for
praise shall crown their head and joy shall overtake them.
Grief and sorrow and sighing are fled.
12 I THE I AM am he who comforteth thee. Recollect what
thou wast when terrified at a mortal man, and at a son of man
13 who are withered like grass; and forgottest the God who made
thee — him who made the heaven and founded the earth; and
wast every day in continual dread of the furious countenance
of thine oppressor. For how did he consult to carry thee away !
14 But where now is the fury of thine oppressor? For when thou
15 art saved he shall not stand; nor long continue. Because I thy
God am he Avho tempesteth the sea and causeth the billows
16 thereof to roar; the Lord of Hosts is my name; I will put my
words in thy mouth, and cover thee under the shelter of my
hand with which I made the heaven and founded the earth; and
say to Sion, Thou art my people.
17 Awake, awake, stand up, Ο Jerusalem who hast drunk
from the hand of the Lord the cup of his indignation. For thou
hast drunk the cup of horror— the great cup of his wrath; and
18 drained it. And of all thy children which thou didst bring
forth there was not one who comforted thee, nor was there one
who took hold of thy hand: no, not of all the sons whom thou
19 didst raise. Because these things have befallen thee, w^ho will
condole Avith thee? Desolation and destruction, famine and the
20 sword; who will comfort thee? Thy sons? Some are astounded;
some asleep at the head of every way, like a parboiled beet ;
Some are full of the indignation of the Lord, enervated by the
21 Lord God. Therefore hear, thou, who hast been humbled, and
22 who art drunk, but not with wine. Thus saith the Lord, the
God who judgeth his people, Behold I have taken out of thy
hand the cup of horror— the great cup of mine indignation; and
23 thou Shalt no more drink it again. And I will put it into the
hands of them, who have injured thee and oppressed thee—
who have said to thy soul. Crouch down that we may walk
over thee, when thou hadst bent thy body down level with the
earth in the street, to them passing along.
LII. Sect. 7. AWAKE, awake, Ο Sion ! clothe thyself, Ο
Sion, with thy strength. Put on thy glory, Ο Jerusalem, thon
VOL.. IIJ. S
Ch. LII. ESAIAS.
holy city ! No more shall the uncircumcised and the unclean
2 pass throusjh thee. Shake off the dust, and stand up ; assume
thy seat, Ο Jerusalem ! Loose the chain from thy neck, Ο cap-
3 tive daughter of Sion ! For thus saith the Lord, You \vere sold
for nought; and you shall be ransomed, not with money.
4 Thus saith the Lord, My people went down to Egypt at
first to sojourn there; and to the Assyrians they were carried
5 by force. Now therefore \vhy are you here? Thus saith the
Lord, Because my people were taken away for nought, (ex-
press your amaze; and raise the mournful cry !)
Thus saith the Lord, On your account my name is conti-
6 nually reviled among the nations. Therefore in that day my
people shall know my name. Because I THE I AM, the same
7 Avho am speaking, am at hand, like beauty on the mountains —
like the feet of one proclaiming peace, like one proclaim-
ing glad tidings. Because I will cause thy salvation to be pro-
claimed, Saving, Ο Sion, thy God will reign; because the voice
8 of thy watchmen is lifted up; with thevoice therefore let all at
the same time express joy.
(c) Because eyes will look to eyes when the Lord compas-
9 sionateth Sion; let the ruins of Jerusalem break out together
with bursts of joy. Because the Lord hath compassionated her
10 and delivered Jerusalem; let the Lord therefore make bare his
holy arm in the sight of all the nations ! and let all the ends of
the earth see the salvation come from our God.
11 (J) Depart, depart; come out thence, and touch no pollut-
ed thing. Come out from the midst of her; be clean, ye who
12 carrv the vessels of the Lord. For you shall not come out in
haste, nor by flight march along; for the Lord will march be-
fore you in front; and the God of Israel will bring up your
rear.
13 Behold my servant will mind and be exalted and highly
14 glorified. In the same manner as many will be astonished at
thee; (so devoid of glory for men will be thine appearance and
15 thy glory for the sons of men) so many nations will ex-
. press admiration at him; and kings will shut their mouths, be-
cause they, to whom no publication was made concerning him,
shall see; and they, who had not heard, will understand.
Ch. LIII. LIV. ESAIAS.
LIII. (c) Ο Lord, who hath believed this report of ours, and
2 to whom hath the arm of the Lord been made manifest? We
have made proclamation as a child before him : as a root in a
thirsty soil, he hath no appearance nor glory. We have seen
3 him; and he hath neither appearance nor beauty : but his ap-
pearance is mean and defective beyond the sons of men. Be-
ing a man in affliction and acquainted with grief, because his
countenance was dejected, he was despised and disesteemcd.
4 This man beareth away our sins; and for us he is in sorrow :
And we considered him as being in trouble and under a stroke
5 and in affliction. But he was wounded for our sins, and afflict-
ed for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon
6 him; by his bruises we are healed. We all like sheep had
strayed; every man wandered in his Avay : and the Lord de-
7 liyered him up for our sins : and he, on the account of his af-
fliction, openeth not his mouth. He was led as a sheep to be
slaughtered. And as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he
8 openeth not his mouth. In this humiliation his legal trial was
taken away. Who will declare his manner of life.
(J) Because his life is taken from the earth — for the trans-
9 gressions of my people he is led to death; therefore for his fu-
neral I will give up the wicked, and the rich for his death. Be-
cause he committed no iniquity, nor practised guile with his
10 mouth, and the Lord determineth to purify him from this
stroke : when his soul shall be given up for a sin offering; of
you he shall see a seed which shall prolong their days. More-
1 1 over it is the determination of the Lord to remove him from the
trouble of his soul— to shew him light and fashion him for
knowledge— to justify the Righteous One who is serving ma-
12 ny well, when he shall bear away their sins; therefore he shall
inherit many and divide the spoils of the strong.
(p) Because his soul was delivered up to death and he was
numbered among transgressors and bore away the sins of ma-
ny and on the account of their iniquities was delivered up;
LIV. rejoice thou barren, who bearest not — break forth with
shouts of joy, thou who sufferestnot the pangs of child birrh;
for many more are the children of the desolate than of her wlio
2 hath a husband. For the Lord said. Enlarge the place of thy
tent and thy curtains; ϋχ up; spare not; lengthen thy cords
Ch. LIV. ESAIAS.
3 and make thy stakes strong. Extend still farther to the right
and left. And thy seed shall inherit nations and thou shalt in-
4 habit wasted cities. Be not terrified because thou hast been ex-
posed to shame; nor blush because thou hast been reproach-
ed. For thou shalt forget the shame of ancient times, and the
reproach of thy widowhood thou shalt remember no more.
5 For the Lord who is thy maker, whose name is the Lord of
Hosts — even he who delivered thee, shall be called the God of
Israel, in the whole earth.
6 The Lord hath not called thee as a wife forsaken and dis-
consolate; nor as a wife that hath been hated from her youth.
7 Thy God hath said, '' I left thee for a little while; but with
8 great mercy I will compassionate thee : in a short wrath I
turned away my face from thee; but with everlasting kindness
I will have mercy on thee." The Lord who delivered diee
9 hath said, "From the flood which was in Noah's time this is
my purpose — as I solemnly promised him at that time that I
.10 would no more be angry with the earth on thine account, nor
in rebuking thee overturn the mountains; and that thy hills
should no more be moved; so my kindness for thee shall not
fail, nor shall the covenant of thy peace ever be changed : for
he said for thee. Be appeased, Ο Lord."
11 (Jj Ο thou afflicted and storm beaten ! art thou not com-
forted? Behold I am preparing for thee carbuncles for thy
12 building stones, and the sapphire for thy foundations; and for
thy battlements I will lay jasper; and crystal, for thy gates;
13 and for thy circumambient walls, precious stones : even thy
sons, all instructed of God; and thy children in great pros-
14 perity. And with righteousness thou shalt be rebuilded. Ab-
stain from injustice and thou shalt not be affrighted; and as for
15 terror, it shall not approach thee. Behold proselytes shall come
to thee for my sake; and they shall sojourn with thee and fly to
16 thee. Behold I have created thee, not like a coppersmith blow-
hig coals and using a tool for the work. But I have created
17 thee, not for destruction. Perish every weapon formed against
thee ! I will not prosper it. Though every voice should rise up
against thee for judgment, thou shalt overcome them all and in
the trial they shall be condemned. There is an inheritance for
them Avho serve the Lord, therefore you are to be just for me,
iiaith the Lord.
Ch. LY. LVI. ESAIAS.
L V. Sect. 8. HO ! ye who are thirsting, come to water ! and
ye who have no money, come buy and eat, without money
2 and without price, wine and the choicest bread. Why are
you expending money and labour for that which will not sa-
tisfy ? Hearken to me and you shall eat good things; and your
3 soul will be regaled with delicacies. Incline your ears and
follow in my paths ; hearken to me and your soul shall live
on good things ; and I will make with }ou an everlasting co-
venant — the gracious promises to David which are faithful.
4 Behold for a testimony to nations I gave him, a chief and a
5 lawgiver to nations. Nations which kne\v thee not will fly to
thee, for the sake of the Lord thy God, the Holy One of
Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
6 Seek ye the Lord ; and when you find him call upon him.
7 And Avhen he drawcth near to you ; let the Avicked man for-
sake his ways, and the unrighteous man his counsels, and turn
to the Lord and he shall find mercy ; for he will abundantly
8 pardon your sins. For my counsels are not as your counsels;
9 nor are my ways as your ways, saith the Lord. But distant
as the heaven is from the earth, so is my way distant from
10 your ways ; and your thoughts from my understanding. For
as the rain when it descendeth, or snow, from the heavens,
doth not return thither, till it hath watered the earth, and caused
it to generate and bloom and yield seed for the sower and
1 1 bread for food ; so shall it be with my word : when it hath
proceeded from my mouth, it shall not be reversed, till all
are accomplished which I willed ; and till I prosper thy ways
12 and my commandments. For with gladness you shall go forth;
and with joyfulness you shall be taught : for the mountains
and hills shall leap for joy, expecting you ; and all the trees
13 of the field will clap with their branches. And instead of the
briar, shall spring up the cypress ; and instead of the thistle,
shall come up the myrtle. And the Lord shall be for a name,
and for an everlasting sign which shall not fail.
LVI. Thus saith the Lord^ Keep judgment and practise right-
eousness ; for my salvation is near, just ready to come, and
2 my saving kindness to be revealed. Happy the man who doth
these things and the mortal who adhereth to them ; and who
Ch. LVII. ESAIAS.
is careful not to profane my sabbaths, and who restraineth his
hands from doing evil.
3 Let not the stranger who cleave th to the Lord say, " The
Lord will separate me from his people." Nor let the eunuch
4 say, "I am a dry tree." For thus saith the Lord to the eunuchs,
Whoever of them shall keep my sabbaths, and chuse the things
5 in Avhich I delight and adhere to my covenant ;. I will give
them, in my house and within my walls, an honourable place
better than sons and daughters — I will give them an ever-
6 lasting name which shall not fail. And with regard to the
strangers who cleave to the Lord to serve him, and love the
name of the Lord — to be his man servants and maid servants,
even all who are careful not to profane my sabbaths and who
7 adhere to my covenant ; them I will bring to my holy moun-
tain and make them joyful in my house of prayer : their burnt
oiferings, and their sacrifices shall be acceptable on mine altar ;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the
nations. —
8 Sect. 9. THE LORD who gathereth the dispersed of Israel
9 said. Because I will gather a congregation for him, Ο ail ye
10 beasts of the field come ! Ο all ye beasts of the forests, devour!
you see that they are all blind ; that they have not knowledge.
They are dumb dogs, they cannot bark : they are asleep in
11 bed, they love to slumber : yet these dogs are of untamed
appetite ; they can never have enough. They are indeed mis-
chievous, they have no consideration. They all followed their
own courses, every one according to his ov/n purpose. You
LVII. see how a ri&hteous one was destroved, and no one
iayeth it to heart. And righteous men are taken away, and no
one observeth, that on account of iniquity the righteous one
2 was taken away. His sepulture shall be in peace. He is taken
from among you,
S But as for you, draw near hither, ye lawless sons! ye seed
4 of adulterers and of fornicationl in what have you indulged
yourselves? and at whom haΛ■e you opened your mouth, and at
whom lolled your tongue? are you not children of destruction
) — a lawless race? invoking idols under shady trees, slaying
β -^our children in the vallevs anions: the rocks? This shall be
Ch. LVII. ESAIAS.
thy portion-this thy lot-as thou hast poured out libations to
them and to them offered up sacrifices, shall I not for these
7 things be incensed? On a high and lofty mountain thou hast
8 made thy bed, and caused thy sacrifice to ascend thither• and
behind the posts of thy door thou hast set up thy memorial
Didst thou think, that, if thou departedst from me, thou
shouldst have something more? Thou hast loved them who lay
9 with thee and multiplied thy fornication with them, and hast
done It with many who are far from thee; and hast sent ambas-
sadors beyond thy borders; and humbled thyself even to Hades;
10 With thy long journies thou hast wearied thyself and hast not
said, I will take some rest. Because in thv full strength thou
hast done this; therefore thou shouldst not supplicate me.
11 Of whom hast thou been so anxiously afraid that thou hast
dealt falsely with me, and hast not remembered nor taken me
into thy thoughts, nor into thy heart? When I saw and ne-
12 glected thee thou didst not fear me. Now I will declare my
righteousness and thine evil deeds which shall not avail thee
13 When thou criest; let them deliver thee in thine affliction. A
wind indeed shall overtake them all; and a whirlwind shall
sweep them away. But they who adhere to me shall possess
14 the land, and inherit my holy mountain. And they will say
Clear the ways before him, remove obstructions out of the road
of my people.
15 rA... saith the Most High, who on high inhabiteth eterni-
ty, who is Holy among holies; whose name is THE MOST
1 A !, ,?' '''^? ^^ '^^^ "' ^^^ ^^°'^"' g^^^* P^ti^"^^ to the humble,
16 and hfe to them who are of a contrite heart; I will not contend
with you forever, nor will I be continually angry with you, for
^'^^ n;e spirit is to proceed and I have made every breathini^
17 soul. Because of sin I grieved him a little while and smote
hmi and turned away my face from him; and he was grieved
18 and went his ways sorrowing; I have seen his ways and healed
19 him, andxomforted him„and given him true consolation; peace
upon peace to them near and to them far off. So the Lord said,
20 I will heal them. But the wicked shall be tossed like waves
21 mid shall not be able to rest. There is no peace, said God, to
the wicked.
Ch. LVIII. ESAIAS.
LVIII. Sect. 10. (J) CRY aloud and spare not: raise thy
voice like a trumpet: proclaim to my people their sins, and to
2 the house of Jacob their iniquities. Day after day they seek
me, and desire to know my ways; like a people who have prac-
tised righteousness, and who have not forsaken the ordinance
of God. They now ask of me a just decision and desire to draw
5 near to God. Saying, "Why have we fasted and thou hast not
seen? We have humbled our souls and thou hast not known."
In the very days of your fasts you enjoy your own pleasures
4 and goad all them who are under your controul. You fast for
strife and debate; and smite the poor with your fists. Why fast
ye for me as to-day that by a cry your voice may be heard?
5 This is not such a fast as I have chosen, that a man should af-
flict his soul for a day. No: though thou shouldst bend thy
neck like a hook and lay sackcloth and ashes under thee: even
in that case you are not to call it an acceptable fast.
6 It is not such a fast as this that I have chosen, saith the
Lord. But loose every bond of iniquity; dissolve the obliga-
tions of onerous contracts; set at liberty them ΛνΙιο are oppress.
7 ed, and tear in pieces every unj ust stipulation in writing: deal
out thy bread to the hungry, and take into thy house the poor
who have no shelter; if thou scest one naked, clothe him, and
8 look not scornfully on dependants of thy race; then shall thy
light break forth like the morning, and thy remedies shall
spring up speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee,
9 and the glory of the Lord will surround thee. Then thou shalt
cry and God will answer thee; and whilst thou art speaking he
will say, Lo I am here.
If thou remove from thee the bond, and the \Ote and de-
10 cree which occasion murmuring, and from thy soul give bread
to the hungry and satisfy an aiflicted soul; then shall thy light
spring up in darkness; and thy diu^kness shall be as tlie noon
11 day: and thy God will be with thee continually; and thou shalt
be satisfied as thy soul desireth; and thy bones shall be made
fiU and be like a watered garden, and like a spring whose water
12 never failed. And thine old waste places shall be rebuilded;
and thy foundations shall last for generations of generations:
and thou shalt be called the repairer of breaches, and shalt en-
joy rest in the midst of thy paths.
Clr. LIX. ESAIAS.
13 If on account of the sabbaths thou restrain thy foot from
doing thy pleasure on that holy day; and call the sabbaths de-
lightful, dedicated to God; and wilt not lift up thy foot for any
14 work; nor utter a word in anger from thy mouth; and trust
continually in the Lord; he will then mount thee on the good
places of the land and feed thee on the inheritance of thy fa-
ther Jacob: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken these
words.
LIX. It is not that the hand of the Lord is unable to save; nor
2 that his ear is grown dull to hear; but your sins make a sepa-
ration between you and your God; and on account of your
sins he hath turned away his face from you that he may not ex-
3 ercise compassion. For your hands are polluted with blood,
aiid your fingers with sins; your lips have spoken iniquity,
4 and your tongue contriveth injustice. None speaketh just
things, nor is there any just judgment. They trusted in vani-
ties and they speak lies. Because they hatch mischief, therefore
5- they bring forth iniquity. They hatched the eggs of asps, and
are weaving a spider's web; and he who was about to eat some
of their eggs, upon breaking one that was hatched found there-
6 in a viper. Their web will not serve for a mantle, nor can
they clothe themselves with their works; for their works arc
7 works of iniquity. Their feet are running to evil; they are
swift to shed blood. And their reasonings are reasonings for
8 murders. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the
path of peace they do not know, nor is there any judgment in
their ways; for the paths which they travel are crooked and
9 peace they do not know. Therefore judgment is far from them,
and saving mercy shall not overtake them. When they were
waiting for light, darkness came upon them, expecting a
10 blaze of light they walked in obscurity. They shall grope like
blind men for a wall and feel about like men Λvho have no eyes,
1 1 and fall at mid-day as at midnight. When dying they will
groan like a bear and mourn like a dove; and at their departing
say, "We waited for judgment and there is none: and as for
12 safety, it is far from us. For our manifold iniquity is before
thee; and our sins are risen up against us: for our iniquities
13 are in us, and we know our transgressions. We have sinned;
we have lied, and turned back from following our God; we
VOL. Ill, Τ
Ch. LX. ESAIAS.
14 have spoken things unjust, and have been disobedient; we
have conceived and meditated from our heart lying words,
we have indeed turned judgment backward, therefore saving
mercy standeth aloof."
(p) Because truth was destroyed in their ways and they
15 could not walk in straight paths; and truth Avas removed and
they substituted opinion in place of knowledge, therefore the
Lord took a view, and it displeased him that there was no judg-
16 ment. When he took a view and there was no man; and made
close observation, and there was no helper; then with his own
17 arm he defended them and with mercy supported them. And
he put on righteousness as a breast plate, and placed on his
head the helmet of salvation, and tlirew around him the mantle
18 of vengeance; and his cloak, as about to retribute retribution —
reproach to his adversaries: and they from the west shall re-
19 vere the name of the Lord; and they from the risings of the
sun, his glorious name. For he will come like an impetuous
20 stream — for the wrath of the Lord will come with fury. For
the sake of Sion the Deliverer will come, and turn away un-
21 godliness from Jacob. And this shall be my covenant with
them, said the Lord, this spirit of mine which is upon thee, and
these words which I have put in thy mouth shall not fail from
thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy seed, (for the Lord hath
spoken) from this time forth forever.
LX. Sect. 11. BE ENLIGHTENED: be enhghtened, Ο
Jerusalem! for thy light is come; and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee. Behold darkness will cover the earth and
thick darkness the nations: but upon thee the Lord will shine
and his glory over thee will be conspicuous. And kings will
walk by thy light: and nations by thy splendour.
4 Raise thine eyes around and behold thy children gathered
together; all thy sons are come from afar, and thy daughters
5 shall be carried on shoulders. Then thou wilt look and be fill-
ed with awe and astonished at heart; because the riches of the
6 sea and of nations and peoples will pour in upon thee. And for
thee will come herds of camels and those of Madiam and
Gaipha will cover thee, and those of Saba will come bringing
gold and will also bring frankincense, and with joy proclaim
7 the salvation of the Lord. And all the flocks of Kedar shall be
Ch. LX. « ESAIAS.
gathered together; and the rams of Nabaioth will come; and
acceptable offerings will be made on mine altar, and my house
of prayer will be glorified.
8 (c) Who are those? They are flying like clouds, and like
doves with their young towards me!
9 (J) For me the islands waited, and among the first the
ships of Tarsis to bring thy children from afar and their silver
and their gold with them. And because of the holy name of
the Lord, and because the Holy One of Israel is glorious;
10 therefore strangers shall rebuild thy walls and their kings shall
wait upon thee. For on account of my wrath I smote thee, but
11 for mercy's sake I have loved thee; and thy gates shall be open
continually (by day or by night they shall not be shut) to in-
troduce to thee the Λvealth of nations and their kings pompous-
12 ly attended. For the nations and kings w4iich \^'ill not serve
thee shall perish — such nations indeed shall be utterly laid
Avaste.
13 The glory of Lebanon also shall come to thee, \vith the
cypress and the pine and the cedar, to adorn the place which
14 is dedicated to me. And to thee shall come trembling the sons
of them v/ho afflicted and humbled thee, and thou shalt be
called, City Sion of the Holy 07W of Israel.
15 Because of thy having been forsaken and hated when there
was no helper, I will make thee an everlasting boast — a joy for
16 perpetual generations. And thou shalt suck the milk of na-
tions, and feed on the wealth of kings, and shalt know that Γ
the Lord am thy Saviour, and that thy Redeemer is the God
17 of Israel. And instead of brass I will bring thee gold; and in-
stead of iron I will bring thee silver; and instead of wood I will
bring thee brass and instead of stones iron. And I will make
18 thy chiefs peaceful and thine overseers righteous; and violence
shall no more be heard in thy land, nor destruction nor misery
in thy borders; but thy walls shall be called Salvation and thy
19 gates, sculpture. And thou shalt no more have the sun for a
light by day nor shall the rising of the moon enlighten thy
night; but the Lord will be to thee an everlasting light; and thy
20 God will be thy glory. For thy sun shall not go down nor shall thy
mooneverwane: Forthe Lord will be to thee an everlasting light;
21 and the days of thy mouming shall be end^d. And thy peo-
Ch. LXI. LXII. ESAIAS.
pie shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever,
22 preserving the plant, the works of their hands, for glory. The
fewest in number shall become thousands, and he who is
smallest, a great nation. I the Lord in due time will gather
them.
LXI., Sect. 12. (M) THE SPIRIT of the Lord is upon me,
for the business for which he anointed me. He hath sent me to
publish glad tidings to the poor, to heal them who are broken
hearted; to proclaim a deliverance to captives, and a recovery
2 of sight to the blind : to proclaim an acceptable year of the
Lord and a day of retribution. To comfort all who are mourn-
3 ing; that to the mourners in Sion may be given, glory instead
of ashes, oil of joy to the mourners, robes of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; that they may be called generations of
4 righteousness, a plant of the Lord for glory. And the Avastes
of old times shall be rebuilded; and former desolations shall
be repaired, and wasted cities renewed which had lain in ru-
5 ins for ages. And strangers shall come and feed thy flocks and
6 foreigners shall be thy ploughmen and vine dressers. But you
shall be called priests of the Lord, ministers of God. You
shall eat the wealth of nations and for their riches be admired.
7 Thus shall they again inherit the land; and everlasting joy shall
8 be on their head. For I am the Lord who love righteousness
and hate the spoils of injustice; and I will give the righteous
the fruit of their toil and make an everlasting covenant with
9 them and their seed shall be distinguished among the nations,
and their offspring in the midst of peoples. Every one who
seeth them will know them, that they are a seed whom God
10 hath blessed. And they shall rejoice in the Lord with joy.
(c) Rejoice in the Lord, Ο my soul, for he hath clothed
me with the mantle of Salvation, and with an under garment
of gladness, he hath crowned me as a bridegroom with a crown
11 and adorned me as a bride, with jewels, and like tlie earth
blooming with flowers. And as a garden causeth its seeds to
vegetate, so will the Lord cause righteousness to spring up
and joy in the presence of all the nations.
LXII. (M) For Sion's sake I will not be silent, and for the
sake of Jerusalem I will not rest; until the righteousness thereof
Ch. LXIII. ESAtAS.
2 break forth as light, and my salvation blaze like a torch; and na-
tions see thy righteousness, and kings this glory of thine.
When he shall call thee by a ηελν name which the Lord him-
3 self u'ill give thee; then thou shalt be a crown of beauty in the
hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
4 And thou shalt no more be called. Forsaken; nor shall thy
land any more be called. The desert; but thy name shall be
called, My Delight; and that of thy country, The inhabited
land. Because the Lord is well pleased with thee therefore thy
5 land shall be thickly inhabited : and as a youth cohabiting
with a virgin bride, so shall thy sons inhabit it : and as a
bridegroom will rejoice in his bride, so will the Lord rejoice
over thee.
6 Now upon thy walls, Ο Jerusalem, I have set watchmen
all the day; and all the night, they will not cease continually
7 to mention the Lord; for there is none like you. When he
shall have re-established and made Jerusalem a boast on the
8 earth — the Lord hath sworn by his glory and by the power of
his arm, I will no more give thy corn and thy food to thine ene-
mies; nor shall the sons of strangers any more drink thy wine,
9 for which thou hast laboured. But they who reap the harvest
shall eat and praise the Lord; and they who gather the vintage
10 shall drink wine in my holy courts. Go through my gates and
prepare the way for my people and throw the stones out of the
11 way. Erect a standard for the nations. For lo ! the Lord hath
published this to the end of the earth. Say to the daughter of
Sion, Behold the Saviour is come for thee, having his ownre-
12 ward and his work before him. And he will call this a holy
people, redeemed by the Lord; and thou shalt be called the
city sought and not forsaken.
LXIII. (c) Who is this who is coming from Edom? What
redness of mantles from Bosor ! He so magnificent in apparel?
He marcheth with majesty!
2 (M) I proclaim righteousness and the judgment of sal-
vation.
(c) Why are thy garments red and thy clothing, as from
a trodden wine-vat?
3 (M) I am full of a country trodden down; and of the na-
tions there is not a man wath me. I have trodden them down
Ch. LXIII. ESAIAS.
in my ΛλταΛ, and crumbled diem like dust and shed their
4 blood on the earth. For the day of retribution came upon them
5 and the year of redemption is at hand. When I looked and
there was no helper and observed that none upheld; then mine
own arm delivered them. Mine indignation indeed was rous-
6 ed, and I trampled them down in mine anger and shed their
blood on the earth.
7 (c) I recollected the loving kindness of the Lord — the
mercies of the Lord in all those things which he retributeth
for us. The Lord is a good judge to the house of Israel. He
8 dealeth with us according to his tender mercy and according
to the abundance of his saving goodness, and said, " Is not
9 this my people? Children should not rebel." And he became
their Saviour from all their distress.
It was not an ambassador nor a messenger; but he himself
saved them. Through his love and his indulgence to them, he
himself redeemed them and took them up, and exalted them
10 all the days of old. But they rebelled and provoked his holy
spirit; so he became their enemy. He fought against them;
though he remembered the days of old.
11 Ο ! where is he who caused the shepherd of his flock to
come up out of the sea ? Where is he, who put his holy spi-
12 rit in them ? That glorious arm of his which led Moses by
the right hand ? He forced back the water from before him,
13 to make himself an everlasting name. He led them through
the deep, like a horse through a desert ; and they were not
14 fatigued : and like cattle through a plain. A spirit from the
Lord descended and conducted them. Thus thou didst lead
15 this people of thine, to make thyself a glorious name. Return
from heaven and take a view from the house of thy sanctuary
and thy glory. Where is thy zeal and thy majesty ? Where
the abundance of thy loving kindness and tender affections,
that thou hast withdrawn thyself from us ? For thou art our
16 father. Because Abraham knoweth us not, and Israel hath not
acknowledged us ; do thou, Ο Lord, our father, do thou de-
17 liver us. From the beginning thy name is upon us ; Λvhy, Ο
Lord hast thou suffered us to wander from thy way, and our
hearts to be hardened so as not to fear thee ? Return for the
sake of thy servants — for the sake of the tribes of thy heritage,
Ch. LXIV. LXV. ESAIAS.
18 that we may inherit a little of thy holy mountain. We are be-
19 come as at the beginning, when thou didst not rule over us,
and when we were not called by thy name.
LXIV. If thou wilt open the heaven, at thy presence terror
2 will seize the mountains, and they will melt as wax melteth
before fire ; and a fire will bum up the adversaries, and thy
name will be manifest to the adversaries — At thy presence
3 the nations will be troubled. When thou executest thy glo-
rious works, because of thee terror will seize the mountains.
4 Never have we heard, nor have our eyes seen a God be-
sides thee ; nor works such as thine, which thou wilt do for
5 them who wait for mercy. For it will meet them who prac-
tise righteousness, and they will remember their ways. Behold
6 thou wast angry when we sinned ; because of this we wan-
dered and became all of us as unclean, and all our righteous-
ness was like a polluted rag ; and for our iniquities we have
7 fallen like leaves ; so that the wind will sweep us away. There
is indeed none who invoketh thy name, or Avho remembered
to lay hold on thee ; because thou hast turned away thy face
from us, and delivered us up for our sins.
8 But now, Ο Lord, thou art our father. Though we are clay,
9 we are all the works of thy hands: be not angry with us to the ut-
termost ; nor remember forever our sins : but, O, look down
10 now upon us ; for we are all thy people. The city of thy sanc-
tuary is become a desert : Sion is become like a desert ; Je-
11 rusalem, for a curse. The house, our sanctuary — even that
glory which our fathers blessed, is utterly burnt up with fire,
12 and all our glorious things are in ruins; yet for all these things,
thou, Ο Lord, hast refrained, and been silent. Thou hast
humbled us exceedingly.
LXV. (M) I became manifest to them who inquired not for
me ; I was found by them who sought me not. I said, " Be-
hold here I am" to the nation which did not invoke my name.
2 I stretched out my hands all the day long to a disobedient and
gainsaying people, who were walking not in a good way, but
3 following their own sins. This people are pro^Όking me con-
tinually to my face. They will sacrifice in the gardens and
burn incense on the tiles, to demons which have not an ex-
4 istence. They sleep in tombs and in caverns for the purpose
Ch. LXV. ESAIAS.
of dreaming : they cat swine's flesli, and the broth of sacri-
5 fices ; all their vessels are polluted ; yet they say, " Keep at a
distance from me ; come not near me, for I am clean." This is
a smoke which causeth my wrath ; a fire is kindled by it every
6 day. Behold it is written before me : I will not keep silence,
until I have retributed into their bosom their sins ; and the
7 sins of their fathers, saith the Lord. They have burned incense
on the mounts, and treated me with scorn on the hills, I will
retribute their works into their bosom.
8 Thus saith the Lord, As when a good grape is found in
the cluster, they will say, " Destroy it not ; for there is a bless-
ing in it," so will I do for the sake of him who serveth me ;
9 for his sake I will not destroy them all. I will indeed bring:
forth the seed from Jacob namely, from Juda, and he shall
inherit my holy mountain : and my chosen ones and my ser-
10 vants shall inherit and dwell there ; and there shall be in the
forest folds for flocks ; and the valley of Achor shall be a rest-
11 ing place of herds, for my people who ha^e sought me. But
as for you, who forsake me and forget my holy mountain,
and who prepare a table for the Demon, and fill up a mixed
12 potion ϊον Fortune, you I will deliver up to the sword; you shall
all bow down to slaughter. Because I called and you answered
not : I spake and you would not listen ; but did what is evil
13 in my sight; and chose the things in which I did not delight;
therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold my servants shall eat ;
but you shall be hungry : behold my servants shall drink ; but
you shall be thirsty : behold my servants shall rejoice ; but you
14 shall be ashamed: behold my servants shall triumph with joy:
But you shall scream for sorrow of heart, and howl for anguish
15 of spirit. For you, shall leave your name for a loathing to my
chosen. As for you, the Lord \y\\\ destroy you ; but to my
16 servants, a new name shall be given which shall be blessed
on the earth : for they will bless the true God : and they who
swear on the earth, will swear by the true God. For they will
forget their former affliction and it shall not recur to their
17 mind : for there shall be a new heaven and the earth shall be
new : and they shall no more remember former things, nor
18 shall they ever come again into their mind. But in this they
shall find joy and gladness : for behold I am about to make
Ch. LXVI. ESAIAS.
Jerusalem a subject of joy, and this people of mine a subject of
19 rejoicing. And I will exult in Jerusalem and rejoice in my
people ; and there shall no more be heard therein, the voice of
20 wailing nor the sound of a mournful cry. Nor shall there any
more be there an untimely birth, nor an old man, who shall
not complete his term. For he who is a hundred years old
shall be young ; and the sinner, who dieth at a hundred years,
21 shall be deemed accursed. And they shall build houses and
dwell therein : and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruits
22 thereof. They shall not build, and others inhabit : nor shall
they plant and others eat : for according to the days of the
tree of that life, shall be the days of this my people : for they
23 shall out wear the works of their toils. My chosen ones shall
not labour in vain, nor shall they bring forth children for a
curse. Because they are a seed blessed of God, both they and
24 their oifspring : therefore it shall come to pass, that before
they call I will answer them : and while they are yet speaking
25 I will say, What is the matter. Then shall the wolves and
the lambs feed together : and the lion shall eat straw like the
LXVI. ox. But the serpent shall eat dust as bread. They shall
not hurt, nor shall they destroy on my holy mountain, saith
the Lord.
1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the
earth, my footstool : what sort of an house will you build for
2 me ? And of what sort shall be the place of my rest ? For all
these things my hand hath made : and all these things are
mine saith the Lord. Upon whom therefore will I look down,
'but upon him only who is humble and quiet, and who trem-
5 bleth at my words ? As for the wicked man, who sacrificeth
to me a young bull : he is one who slayeth a dog : and though
he ofFereth me fine flour : it w^ill be as the blood of swine. —
Though he oiFereth incense for a memorial, he is as a blasphe-
mer. As they have chosen their own ways : and their soul
4 hath delighted in their abominations : I also will chuse their
delusions, and pay them back their sins. Because I called
them and they did not answer — I spake, but they^did not listen:
but did that which is evil in my sight, and chose the things
5 in which I did not delight ; hear the decisions of the Lord —
ye who tremble at his word, say, " Ο our brethren — fto them
VOL. III. υ
Ch. LXVI. ESAIAS.
who hate you and are abominable, that the name of the Lord
may be glorified and appear to their joy, when they shall be
6 ashamed) a sound of screaming from the city ! a sound from
the temple ! the voice of the Lord rendering a recompense to
his adversaries !
7 That a Avoman hath brought forth before she travailed ;
that before her pangs came on, they are over and a male child
8 born ; who hath heard such a thing, or who hath seen the
like ? Did ever the earth bring forth in a day, or was ever a
nation born at once ? That Sion should travail and bring forth
9 her children, I myself gave this expectation ; yet thou didst
not remember me, saith the Lord. Behold did I not make her
who beareth ; and her who is barren ? Said thy God.
10 Rejoice Ο Jerusalem! and sing praises therein, all ye who love
her ! Be exceedingly joyful with her, all ye Avho mourn for her!
1 1 That you may suck and be satisfied from the breast of her
consolation — that you may suck and be fed deliciously, at
12 the commencement of her glory. For thus saith the Lord, Be-
hold I will glide to them like a peaceful stream, and like a
torrent deluging the glory of nations. Their children shall be
13 carried on shoulders, and shall be dandled on knees. As one
whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and in
14 Jerusalem you shall find consolation. And you shall see it, and
your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall flourish like a
green herb. And the hand of the Lord will be made known to
them who fear him. And it will terrify them who are disobe-
15 dient. For behold! the Lord will come as a fire, and his cha-
riots as a whirlwind, to execute his vengeance with wfath
16 and his rebuke with flaming fire. For with the fire of the Lord
all this land shall be tried, and all flesh with his sword. Many
17 shall be the slain of the Lord! They who consecrate and puri-
fy themselves for the gardens, and they who, in the outer
courts, eat swine's flesh, and the abominations and the mouse,
shall for this be consumed together, said the Lord.
18 As I know their works and their reasoning I am coming
to gather together all the nations and the tongues, and
19 they shall come and see my glory. And I will leave among
them a sign, and those of them Λvho escape Γ will send to the
nations — to Tharsis and Phud and Lud and Mosach and to
Gh. LXVI. ESAIAS.
Thobel and Greece and to the far distant isles. They who
have not heard my name nor seen my glory — even they shall
20 proclaim my glory among the nations; and they shall bring
your brethren from all the nations, as a gift for the Lord with
horses and chariots, in litters borne by mules with umbrellas
over them, to the holy city Jerusalem, said the Lord; as the
children of Israel brought up their sacrifices for me with songs
21 of praise to the house of the Lord. And of them I will take
22 priests and Levites, said the Lord. For as the new heaven and
the new earth, which I make, shall remain in my presence,
saith the Lord; so shall your seed and your name be establish-
23 ed. And it shall be, that month after month and sabbath after
sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, in Jerusa-
24 lem, said the Lord. And they shall go forth, and see the car-
casses of those men, who have transgressed against me. For
their womi shall not die and their fire shall not be quenched,
and they shall be a spectacle to all flesh.
JEREML\S.
I. I. The word of God which came to Jeremias the son ofChel-
kias, one of the priests wlio dwelt at Anathoth in the land
of Benjamin; as the word of God came to him in the
days ofJosias son of Amos king ofJuda^ in the thirteenth
year of his reign and came to him in the days of Joakim
son of Josias king of Jiida even to the eleventh year of
Zedekias son of Josias ki?ig of Juda, even to the cap-
ture of Jerusalem, in the fifth month.
4 When this word of the Lord came to him, "Before I for-
5 med thee in the womb, I knew thee, and before thou wast born
I hallowed thee. I have appointed thee a prophet for nations."
6 Thereupon I said, Ο self-existent sovereign. Lord! behold I
7 know not how to speak, for I am a child. And the Lord said
to me, say not "For I am a child." For thou shalt go to all,
to whomsoever I send thee; and according to all that I com-
8 mand thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of them; for I am
with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord.
Ch. II. JEREMIAS.
9 Then the Lord stretched forth his hand towards me and
touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Behold I have
10 put my words in thy mouth. Behold I have this day set thee
over nations and over kingdoms to root out and demolish and
destroy; and to rebuild and plant.
11 Then a Avord of the Lord came to me saying, "What dost
thou see." Whereupon I said, "I see a rod of an almond-tree."
12 And the Lord said to me. Thou hast seen well: for I have
watched over my words to perform them.
13 Again a word of the Lord came to me a second time say-
ing: "What dost thou see?" And I said, "A kettle; its bottom
14 glowing hot; and its mouth from the north. Then the Lord
said to me, "From the north shall blaze out the evils against
15 all the inhabitants of this land." For behold I am calling toge-
ther all the kingdoms of the earth from the north, saith the
Lord; and they shall come and set, every one his throne against
the vestibules of the gates of Jerusalem and against all the
16 walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Juda;
and I will speak to them with a judicial process touching all
their wickedness.
17 As they have forsaken me and sacrificed to strange Gods,
and worshipped the works of their hands, therefore gird thou
up thy loins and stand up and speak all that I command thee.
Be not afraid of them, nor terrified at their presence; for I am
18 with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Behold I have made
thee this day, like a fortified city and like a wall of brass, too
strong for all the kings of Juda and the chiefs thereof and the
19 people of the land. Though they fight against thee they cannot
prevail over thee; for I am with tliee to deliver thee saith the
Lord.
IL Then he said, Thus saith the Lord, I remembered mercy
2 in thy youth; and love, in thy mature age, that thou mightest
3 follow the Holy Israel, saith the Lord. The Holy Israel is to
the Lord the chief of his productions, all that devour him shall
be guilty of trespass: evils shall come upon them, saith the
Lord.
4 Hear a word of the Lord, Ο house of Jacob and every fa-
5 mily of the house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord,
Ch. π. JEREMIAS.
What fault did your fathers find in me, that they have
withdrawn from me; and have gone after vanities and become
6 vain: and did not say, Where is the Lord, who brought us up
out of the land of Egypt; who led us through the wilderness —
through a boundless and untrodden land — through a land with-
out water and without fruit — through a land which no man
traversed, and where no man had a fixed abode.
7 When I brought you to Channel that you might eat its
fruits and the good things thereof; you entered in and polluted
8 my land; and made my heritage an abomination. The priests
did not say, "Where is the Lord?" and they who studied the
law did not know me; the pastors also transgressed against
me; and the prophets prophesied for Baal and went after an un-
9 profitable thing. For this also I will emplead you; and your
10 childrens' children I will emplead. For go to the isles of Chet-
tim and see; and send to Kedar and make strict inquiry; and
11 see if such things have ever happened: have nations changed
their Gods, though they are no Gods? but my people have
12 changed their glory for that which will not profit them. At
this the heaven was astonished and shocked exceedingly, saith *
13 the Lord. Because my people did two things which are both
evil: they forsook me, the fountain of living water; and hewed
out for themselves broken cisterns which cannot hold water.
14 Is Israel a slave or a home born servant ? Why was he
15 for a prey ? Against him lions roared and uttered their voice :
they have made his land a desert and his cities are demolished
16 so as to be uninhabitable. Even the sons of Memphis and Taph-
17 nas have known and derided thee. Hath not thy forsaking me,
saith the Lord thy God, brought these things upon thee ?
18 Now therefore what hast thou to do with the way to Egypt ?
Is it to drink the water of Geon ? Or what hast thou to do in
the way to the Assyrians ? Is it to drink the water of rivers ?
19 Let this apostacy of thine correct thee. And thy wickedness
work conviction in thee. x\nd know and see how bitter a
thing it is to forsake me, saith the Lord thy God.
•20 Further, I have no pleasure in thee, saith the Lord thy
God, because of old thou hast broken thy yoke, and burst
thy bands, and said, I will not serve thee ; but I will go up
eh. II. JEREMIAS.
every high mount : and under every shady tree, I will there
indulge my wantonness.
21 I indeed planted thee an entirely good and fruitful vine :
22 how art thou, Ο degenerate vine, turned to bitterness? Though
thou wash thyself with nitre and use much soap : thou art
23 stained by thine iniquities in my sight, saith the Lord. How
canst thou say, I am not polluted, nor have I gone after Baal ?
View thy ways in the grave-yard, and recollect what thou hast
24 done. In the evening her voice raised the mournful cry. She
enlarged her ways to the Avaters of a desert : by the desires of
her soul she was transported into raptures. She is delivered
up : who will bring her back ? None who seek her will weary
themselves. In her humiliation they shall find her.
25 Turn thy foot from a rugged way, and thy throat from
thirst. But she said, I will act like one come to maturity. Be-
cause she loved strangers, therefore after them she did go. —
26 As a thief when taken, is ashamed ; so shall the children of
Israel be put to shame.
They and their kings and their chiefs and their priests and
27 their prophets, said to a stock, Thou art my father ; and to a
stone, Thou hast begotten me. And turned their backs to me
and not their faces : yet in the time of their troubles they will
28 say. Arise and save us. Where now are thy gods which thou
hast made for thyself? Will they arise and save in the time
of thy trouble ?
Since according to the number of thy cities were thy gods
Ο Juda — and according to the number of the streets of Jeru-
29 salem they burned incense to Baal ; why do you address me?
You are all guilty of impiety : and you have all transgressed
30 against me, saith the Lord. In vain have I smitten your chil-
dren, you did not receive instruction : a sword devoured your
prophets, like a ravening lion ; and you were not temfied. —
31 Hear a word of the Lord ! Thus saith the Lord, Was I a de-
sert to Israel or a desolate land ? Why did my people say,
" We will not be lorded over, nor come to thee any more."
32 Will a bride forget her attire ; or a virgin, the ornaments that
deck her bosom ? Yet my people have forgotten me, days
33 without number. Wilt thou yet study any decency in thy
wavs in search of love ^ Far from that, thou hast abandoned
Ch. III. JEREMIAS.
34 thyself to wickedness to pollute thy ways. And on thy hands
hath been found the blood of innocent souls. These I did not
35 find in breaches into houses, but in every grove of oaks. Yet
thou sayest, " I am innocent; let his wrath be turned from
me :" behold I will emplead thee for saying, I have not sin-
36 ned. Because thou hast made very light of repeating thy jour-
nies, therefore thou shalt be made ashamed of Egypt, as thou
37 hast been, of Assyria : for thou shalt come up thence with thy
hands on thy head, for the Lord hath rejected thy confidence
III. and thou shah not prosper in it. If a man divorce his wife
and she depart from him and marry another, can she return
again to him ? Would not such a wife be altogether polluted ?
2 Yet thou hast played the harlot with many shepherds and hast
returned to me saith the Lord. Raise thine eyes, look forward
and take a view ! where is there a place in which thou hast
not prostituted thyself? In the highways thou hast sat for
them like a deserted daw, and polluted the land with thy
3 whoredoms and with thy wicked acts, and retained many shep-
herds for a stumbling block to thyself : yet with the face of
4 a harlot and behaving indecently before them all, hast thou
not returned home and called me father and the guide of thy
5 youth? Will anger continue forever? Shall it be kept up to
the last? Behold thou hast spoken and done these evil things:
yet thou hast prevailed.
6 II. AGAIN the Lord said to me in the days of Josias the
king, Hast thou seen what the house of Israel have done to
me? They have gone up upon every high mountain and under
7 every shady tree and have there committed Avhoredom— and
after she had committed all these acts of whoredom I said,
8 Return to me; but she returned not. And the treacherous Juda
saw this treachery; and I saw that when for all the whoredoms
which Israel had committed and in which she had been
caught, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce in
her hands, the treacherous Juda was not terrified, but went
9 and committed the like herself. Indeed the other's fornication
10 was as nothing; she committed adultery with stocks and
stones, and for all this the treacherous Juda turned not to me
11 with her whole heart but only feignedly. Then the Lord said
12 to me, Israel hath justified herself more than the treacherous
Ch. III. JEREMIAS.
Juda; go and proclaim these words to the north and thou shalt
say, Return to me, Ο house of Israel, saith the Lord, and I
\\ill not set my face against you. For I am merciful, saith the
13 Lord and will not be angry with you forever. Nevertheless ac-
knowledge thine iniquity — that thou hast transgressed against
the Lord thy God, and opened thy ways for strangers under
every shady tree; and hast not hearkened to my voice, saith
14 the Lord. Return, Ο apostate children, saith the Lord : for I
will exercise dominion over you, and take one of a city and
15 two of a family and bring you to Sion : and I will give you
pastors according to mine own heart, and they shall tend and
16 feed you with knowledge. And when you are multiplied and
increased in the land, saith the Lord, in those days they shall
no more say, " The ark of the covenant of the Holy Israel."
It shall no more come to mind nor be named; nor shall it be
17 covered nor made any more. In those days and at that time
Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord^ and all the
nations shall be gathered to it. And they shall no more follow
1 8 the desires of their own wicked heart. In those days the house
of Juda shall unite with the house of Israel, and they shall
come together from the land of the north and from all those coun-
tries, to the land which I put in possession of their fathers.
19 (p) (Whereupon I said, so be it, Ο Lord.)
(J) Because I am to rank thee among children and give thee
a choice land — the heritage of God the Supreme Ruler oi
nations; therefore I said, " Call me Father," and, " From me
20 you shall not turn a\vay." But as a M'ife dealeth treacherously
with her husband, so the house of Israel dealt treacherously
21 with me, saith the Lord. A sound from the lips Λvas heard, of
the wailing and supplication of the children of Israel; because
they had transgressed in their ways — had forgotten God their
22 Holy One. Return, return, Ο children, and I will heal your
bruises.
23 (c) Behold we will be thy servants for thou art the Lord our
God. False indeed have been the hills and the strength of the
mountains, but from the Lord our God is the salvation of Is-
24 rack This shame consumed the labours of our fathers from
our youth — Their flocks and their herds, their sons and their
25 daughters. We lay down in our shame and our dishonour co-
Ch. IV. JEREMIAS.
vered us; because we sinned against our God — both we and
our fathers from our youth to this day; and hearkened not to
the voice of the Lord our God.
IV. (J) If Israel will return, saith the Lord; let him return to
me. And if he will remove his abominations from his mouth,
2 and on account of me be filled with holy awe; and swear " As
the Lord liveth" with truth in judgment and justice : then
3 shall the nations bless by him, and by him praise God in Jeru-
salem. For thus saith the Lord to the men of Juda and inha-
bitants of Jerusalem, Break up for yourselves fallow grounds
4 and sow not among thorns : be circumcised for your God and
circumcise the stubbornness of your hearts, Ο men of Juda and
ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath break out like a fire
and burn; and there be none to quench it, because of the wick-
edness of your devices.
5 11. (J) MAKE proclamation in Juda and let it be heard in
Jerusalem. Say, Sound the trumpet in the land; raise the
screaming cry ! Say, Assemble together and let us go into the
6 walled cities ! Break up and flee to Sion; make all haste; tarry
not: for I am bringing evils from the north and a great de-
7 struction. A lion has gone up from his den : a destroyer of na-
tions hath begun his march and is come from his place to make
this land a desolation; and the cities shall be demolished so as
8 to be uninhabitable. For these things gird on sackcloth; wail
and utter lamentation. Because the wrath of the Lord is not
9 turned away from you, therefore it shall come to pass in that
day, saith the Lord; that the understanding of the king shall
be destroyed; and the understanding of the chiefs; and the
priests shall be confounded and the prophets amazed.
10 (p) Upon this I said, Ο Sovereign Lord! hast thou in-
deed deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, " There
shall be peace," when lo ! the sword hath reached their very
soul?
11 (J) At that time let it be said to this people and to Jeru-
salem, there is a spirit of wandering in the wilderness. The
way of the daughter of my people is not to purity nor to ho-
J2 liness. A spirit of execution shall come for me and I am now
13 denouncing my judgments on them. Behold he shall come up
VOL. III. X
Ch. IV. JEREMIAS.
like a cloud, and his chai-'iots like a whirlwind. His horses are
swifter than eagles.
14 (p) Alas for us I we are undone ! Ο Jerusalem ! wash thy
heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved. How long
do ill grounded reasonings for thy troubles remain in thee?
15 (J) Because the voice of a messenger will come from Dan
16 and distress will be heard from mount Ephraim; Call to mind
the nations : behold they are come. Proclaim in Jerusalem,
" Predatory bands are coming from afar, and have uttered
17 their voice against the cities of Juda." Like men watching a
field they are all around her. Because thou wast not mindful
18 of me saith the Lord, thy ways and thy devices have done
these things to thee. It is owing to thy wickedness that they
are bitter — that they have reached thy very heart.
19 (p) My bowels ! my boAvels are pained ! and every sensa-
tion of my heart. My soul throbbeth ! my heart is torn. I can-
not keep silence; for my soul hath heard the trumpet's sound;
20 the din of war and of distress. It calleth for contrition; for the
whole land is in deep distress. My tent is suddenly whelmed
21 in ruin; my curtains are rent to pieces. How long shall I see
men fleeing ! How long hear the sound of trumpets !
22 (J) Because the rulers of my people did not know me,
they are foolish children and devoid of understanding. They
are wise to do evil; but to do good they have no knowledge.
23 (p) I beheld the earth and lo ! a void ! Then the heaven;
24 and its lights were gone. I beheld the mountains; and they
25 were trembling, and all the hills were in perturbation. I look-
ed ; and lo ! there was not a man; and all the birds of the air
26 were flown. I beheld; and lo! Karmel was a desert; and all the
cities were burned with fire. At the presence of the Lord ; and
because of his fierce anger, they are utterly destroyed.
27 (J) Thus saith the Lord, The whole land shall be a desert;
28 but I will not make a complete end. For these things let the
land mourn ; and the heaven above be covered with darkness;
for I have spoken and I will not change my mind, I have
made an assault and will not withdraw from it.
29 (p) At the sound of the cavalry and bended bow all the
country had fled. They had skulked into caves; and hidden
Ch. V. JEREMIAS.
themselves in forests ; and upon rocks they had climbed up.
Every city was deserted; in them not a man dwelt.
30 And as for thee what wilt thou do? Though thou clothe
thyself with scarlet and deck thyself with ornaments of gold —
though thou paint thine eyes with stibium, thy decoration will
avail nothing; thy lovers have cast thee oif. They will seek
31 thy life. For I have heard a sound as of one in labour — of
thy groan, as of one who beareth her first child.
(J) The voice of the daughter of Sion shall be weak : and
she shall let her hands hang down.
(p) Wo is me ! for my soul fainteth on account of the slain.
V. (J) Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem ; and
look, and inquire, and search in her broad ways. If you can
find — if there be a man, Avho executeth judgment and seeketh
2 truth, I will be merciful to them saith the Lord. They say,
"As the Lord liveth." Do they not on this very account swear
to falsehoods?
3 (p) Ο Lord, thine eyes look for faithfulness. Thou hast
chastised them : but they have not grieved. Thou hast con-
sumed them and they would not receive instruction. They
have made their faces harder than a rock and refused to return.
4 Then I said, perhaps they are poor, therefore they could
not. Because they have not known the way of the Lord and the
5 judgment of God, I will go to the nobles and speak to them.
(J) Because these knew the way of the Lord and the judg-
ment of God, and lo! with one consent, have broken the yoke
6 and burst the bands; therefore a lion from the forest hath smit-
ten them and a wolf hath destroyed them even in their
houses, and a leopard hath lain in wait against their cities. Let
all who go out from them be hunted down. Because they have
multiplied their iniquities — have strengthened themselves in
7 their apostacies ; for which of these canT be merciful to thee?
Thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by things which
are no Gods. When I fed them plentifully, they committed
8 adultery, and revelled in the houses of harlots. They became
furious wanton steeds; they neighed every one for his neigh-
9 bour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord,
10 and on such a nation as his shall not my soul be avenged? Go
Ch. V. JEREMIAS.
up against her battlements and demolish them: but you must
not make a complete destruction; leave her buttresses, for they
11 are the Lord's. Because the house of Israel have broken faith
with me^ sai\h the Lord, and the house of Juda have given the
12 lie to their Lord and said, "These things are not so. Evils will
13 not come upon us; we shall see neither sword nor famine. Our
prophets are but wind and the word of the Lord was not in
them."
14 Therefore thus saith the Lord Almighty, because you
have spoken this word; behold I have made these words of
mine for thy mouth, afire; and this people fuel; and it shall
15 devour them. Behold I am about to bring against you, Ο
house of Israel, saith the Lord, a nation from afar — a nation
16 the sound of 'vvhose tongue thou wilt not understand. They
are all mighty men; and they shall devour your harvest and
17 your bread; and they shall devour your sons and your daugh-
ters; and they shall devour your flocks and your herds; and
they shall devour your vineyards and fig trees and olive orch-
ards, and smite with the sword your fortified cities, in which
18 you trusted. But it shall come to pass in those days, saith the
Lord thy God, That I will not make an entire end of you.
19 Now when you say, "Why hath the Lord our God done all
this to us?" then thou shalt say to them, Because you served
strange Gods in your land, therefore you shall serve strange
20 Gods in a land which is not yours. Proclaim these things to
the house of Jacob and let them be published to the house of
Juda.
21 (p) Hear these things I beseech you, Ο foolish and stu-
pid people!
(J) They have eyes, but they dp not see; ears they have,
22 but they do not hear. Will you not fear me, saith the Lord,
nor be struck with awe at the presence of me who have by an
everlasting decree, made sand a boundary to the ocean, so that
it shall not pass it. Though it be tossed with a tempest, it
shall not prevail — though the waves thereof roar, they shall not
23 overpass it. But this people have a revolting and disobedient
heart. They have turned aside and are gone: and did not say
24 in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God, who giveth
Ch. VI. JEREMIAS.
us the former and the latter rain, according to the time of com-
pleting the appointed harvest.
25 (p) Though he had reserved these for iis, your iniqui-
ties have turned them out of their course: and your sins have
removed good things from you.
26 (J) Since there have been found among my people wicked
men, who have set snares to destroy men and have caught
27 them — As a trap which hath been set is full of birds, so their
houses are full of deceit, therefore they became great and rich
28 and overleaped judgment: they did not administer justice to
the orphan, nor decide righteously the cause of the widow;
29 shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord, and on such a.
nation as this shall not my soul be avenged?
30 Astonishing and horrible things have been done in this
31 land. The prophets prophesy falsehoods, and the priests clap-
ped with their hands, and my people loved to have it so. Now
what will you do in regard to the consequences'?
VI. Assume courage ye sons of Benjamin who are from the
midst of Jerusalem, and give a signal with the trumpet at Thc-
koe; and on Bethacharma erect a standard. Because evils from
2 the north are apparent, and a great destruction is begun, there-
fore thy loftiness shall be destroyed. With regard to the daugh-
3 ter of Sion; to her shepherds shall come with their flocks, and
pitch their tents around against her and feed. [They will say]
4 every one to his band "Prepare yourselves for battle against
her, arise and let us go up against her at noon." "Alas for us
the day is declined," "Because the shadows of the day fail,
5 arise and let us go up against her by night, and let us destroy
6 her foundations." For thus saith the Lord, Cut down her
trees: discharge engines against Jerusalem: Ο lying city! in
7 it all is oppression. As a reservoir sendeth forth water, so her
wickedness gusheth out. Open wickedness and misery may
8 be heard in her continually. With anguish and scourging be
instructed, Ο Jerusalem! lest my soul be alienated from thee —
lest I make thee an untrodden land, which shall not be inha-
9 bited. For thus saith the Lord, Glean, glean as a vineyard the
remains of Israel. Return again and again like a grape gather-
er to liis basket.
Ch. VI. - JEHEMIAS.
10 (ρ) To Avhom shall I speak and give warning that he
may hearken? behold their ears are uncircumcised and they
cannot hear. —
(J) Behold the word of the Lord was to them an object
1 1 of reproach and they Avould not. Therefore my wrath, which
I filled up and restrained that I might not destroy them, I now
pour out on infants in the streets, and on the congregation of
youths at the same time. Because husband and wife shall be
12 comprehended — the elder with him who is full of days; there-
fore their houses shall be transferred to others — their fields
and their wives together. Because I will stretch forth my
13 hand against the inhabitants of this land, saith the Lord — be-
cause from the least of them to the greatest, they have all com-
mitted unrighteous deeds; from the priest to the false pro-
14 phet, they have all practised falsehood, and healed the hurt
of my people by underrating it and saying Peace^ Peace; but
1 5 Avhere is there peace? Were they ashamed because they failed?
even in that case they were not ashamed; nor were they sensi-
ble of their infamy; therefore they shall fall in the common
ruin; and in the time of visitation they shall perish, saith the
16 Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the highways and take a
view and inquire for the ancient paths of the Lord, and see
which is the good way and walk in it, and you shall find a pu-
rification for your souls: but they said, "We will not go."
17 I have set watchmen over you; hearken to the sound of the
18 trumpet. But they said, "We will not listen." Therefore the
nations heard; even they who were tending their flocks.
19 Hear Ο earth, behold upon this people I am bringing evils —
the fruit of their apostacy , because they attended not to my words
20 and rejected my law. Why do you bring me incense from Saba,
and cinnamon from a far distant country? Your whole burrit of-
ferings are not acceptable; nor were your incense offerings sweet
21 to me. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I send weakness
on this people, and weak shall be fathers and sons with them; and
22 neighbour with neighbour shall perish. Thus saith die Lord,
Behold a people is coming from the north; and nations shall
23 be roused from the extremity of the earth: they will grasp the
bow and the spear: they are haughty and will show no mercy:
Ch. VII. JEREMIAS.
their voice is like the roaring sea: on horses and in chariots
they will draw up in array Hke fire, for battle against thee, Ο
daughter of Sion.
24 (c) We have heard the fame of them. Our hands are en-
feebled. Anguish hath taken hold of us — pangs, as of a wo-
man in travail.
25 (p) Go not out to the fields and in the highways walk not,
because the sword of the enemy dwelleth all around. Ο daugh-
26 ter of my people gird thee with sackcloth; strew thyself with
ashes : utter for thyself piteous lamentation like the mourning
for a beloved. For misery will suddenly come upon thee.
27 (J) I have made thee an assay er for trying peoples : and
28 thou shalt know me when I try their ways. They are all dis-
obedient and walk perversely. Being brass and iron they are
29 all utterly consumed. The bellows could not stand the fire :
the lead is consumed. In vain doth the silversmith try to ex-
tract silver. Their wickedness was not to be melted. You
shall call them rejected silver, for the Lord hath rejected
them. —
VII. 2 III. HEAR a word of the Lord, all ye of Judea! thus
3 saith the Lord the God of Israel : amend your ways and your
4 pursuits : and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust
not in yourselves — in lying words : for you will derive no be-
nefit from them who say, " The temple of the Lord ! it is the
5 temple of the Lord !" For if you thoroughly amend your ways
and your pursuits, and actually execute judgment between
6 man and man : and do not oppress the stranger and orphan and
widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place, nor go after
7 strange gods to your hurt : then will I cause you to dwell in
this place — (in the land which I gave to your fathers) from age
to age.
8 But if you continue to trust in lying words from which you
9 can derive no benefit ; and commit murder, and adultery and
steal and swear to a falsehood, and burn incense to Baal ; and
\vhen you have gone after strange gods which you did not know;
10 you, because of your calamities, have then come and stood be-
fore me, in the house which is called by my name, and said,
"We have been restrained from committing these abominati-
11 ons;" is not this house of mine, which is called bv mv name, be-
Ch. VII. JEREMIAS.
come in your eyes a den of robbers ? Now behold I have seen
12 this, saith the Lord. Go then to my place which was at Selo^
where I caused my name to dwell at first; and see what I have
13 done to it, for the Avickedness of my people Israel. Now there-
fore because you have done all these things : and I have spoken
to you and you have not hearkened to me ; and I have called
14 yftuand you have not answered; I therefore will do to this house
which is called by my name, and in which you have placed your
confidence ; and to this place which I gave to you and your
15 fathers ; as I did to Selo. And I will drive you from my pre-
sence, as I have driven out your brethren, the whole seed
16 of Ephraim. And as for thee, pray not thou for this people ;
nor supplicate for compassion to be shewn them : neither pray
17 nor intercede with me for them ; for I wall not listen. Dost
thou not see what they are doing in the cities of Juda and in
18 the streets of Jerusalem ? Their sons are collecting wood ;
and their fathers are kindling a fire : and their wives are knead-
ing dough to make cakes for the host of heaven : and they
19 have poured out libations to strange gods, to vex me. Do
they vex me ? Saith the Lord : do they not vex themselves ;
20 that their faces may be covered with shame ? Therefore thus
saith the Lord, Behold my anger and my fury is poured upon
this place and on these men ; and on the cattle and on every
tree of their field and on all the products of the ground, and it
21 shall burn and shall not be quenched. Thus saith the Lord,
Collect your whole burnt oiierings with your sacrifices and
22 eat flesh. Because I did not speak to your fathers nor give
them a charge, on the day when I brought them up out of the
land of Egypt, concerning v/hole burnt ofterings and sacri-
23 fices; but only gave them this charge saying, "Hearken to
my voice and I will be your God and you shall be my people;
and walk in all my -ways which I command you that it may
24 be well with you." But they hearkened not to me nor inclined
their ear; but walked in the devices of their own wicked heart,
and went backward and not forward from the day their fathers
25 came out of the land of Egypt to this day : though I sent to
you all my servants the prophets — daily and early though I
27 sent them, yet they hearkened not to me nor inclined their
ears — nay they hardened their necks more than their fathers ;
Ch. VIII. JEREMIAS.
28 therefore thou shalt deliver to them this message. "This is
the nation which hearkened not to the voice of the Lord, nor
received instruction : faithfulness is gone from their mouth :
29 shave thy head and throw away the hair, and take up with thy
lips a song of lamentation, for the Lord hath rejected and cast
30 off the generation which hath done these things." Because the
children of Juda have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord,
have set up their abominations in the house called by my name,
31 to pollute it; and have built up the altar of Tophet which is in
the valley of the son of Ennom, to bum their sons and their
daughters with fire; a thing which I never commanded them
32 and which never entered my mind ; therefore, behold days are
coming saith the Lord, when they shall no more say. The al-
tar of Tophet, and the valley of the son of Ennom," but,
" The valley of them who were slain." For they shall bury in
33 Tophet for want of room. And the carcasses of this people shall
be for food for the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the
34 earth; and there shall be none to scare them away. Andl will
cause to cease from the cities of Juda and from the streets of
Jerusalem, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness; the
voice of the bridegioom and the voice of the bride; for the
whole land shall be a desolation."
VIIL At that time saith the Lord, they shall carry out the
bones of the kings of Juda, and the bones of his chiefs, and the
bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the
2 bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves; and
expose them to the sun and moon and to all the stars, and to
all the host of heaven which they loved and served, and after
which they went and to which they were attached, and to
which they bowed down. They shall not be lamented nor bu-
3 ried; but shall be for a spectacle, on the face of the earth (be-
cause they chose death rather than life) even to all the residue
left of that generation, in every place whither I shall drive
them.
4 Thus saith the Lord, Doth not he who falleth rise again?
5 Or doth not he who turneth aside, return back? Why then
hath this my people shamefully turned aside, and persisted in
6 their eiTor and refused to return? Hearken now and hear I
Will they not speak thus, " There is not a man who repents
VOL. Ill, γ
Ch. VIII. JEREMIAS.
eth of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" ite who
was running stop'd in his course Uke a horse tired with whinny-
7 ing." The stork in the heaven knoweth her season; so doth the.
dove and the swallow of the field : the ostriches observed the
time of their coming; but my people do not know the judg-
8 ments of the Lord. How can you say, " We are wise and the
law of the Lord is with us." In vain was it made; the scribes
9 had a lying pen. Are the wise ashamed? They are indeed dis-
mayed and taken. Because they rejected the law of the Lord;
10 therefore be their wisdom what it may, I will give their wives
to others and their fields to them who will take possession,
that they may gather the products thereof, saith the Lord.
13 (c) There is not a cluster on the vine nor is there a fig on
14 the fig trees, even the leaves are fallen. Why sit we still? As-
semble and let us go into the fortified cities; andlet us be cast off
there; since God hath cast us off. He hath indeed given us wa-
15 ter of gall to drink because we have sinned against him. We
assembled for peace; but there is no good; for a time of heal-
16 ing and behold trouble. From Dan we can hear the sound of
the snorting of his horses; with the neighing of his cavalry the
\vhole earth is shaken.
(J) And on he will come and devour the land and the ful-
17 ness thereof, the cities and them who dwell therein. For be-
hold I am sending against you deadly serpents, which cannot
be charmed, and they will bite you with incurable wounds,
18 which shall pain your throbbing heart.
19 Hark ! a sound of the cry of the daughter of my people
from a distant land I "Is not the Lord in Sion? Is he not
king there?" Because they provoked me to anger with their
graven images and with strange vanities.
20 (p) " f'h^ summer is past; the harvest is over and we are
not saved," at the destruction of the daughter of my people I
was whelmed in darkness: in distress I was seized with pangs
21 like those of a woman in travail. Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there? Why is not healing come for the
daughter of my people.
(c) The chorus, the inliabitants of the country. (J) Jehovah, (p)
The prophet.
Ch. IX. JEREMIAS.
IX. θ! that my head were water ! and mine eyes a fountain
of tears ! That I might weep day and night for this people of
2 mine — for the slain of the daughter of my people ! O! that I
had a remote lodging in the wilderness, that I might leave
my people and go away from them !
(J) Because they are all adulterers, an assembly of treach-
3 erous men, and have bent their tongue like a bow — lying and
infidelity prevailed in the land — because they have proceeded
4 from evils to evils, and have not known me, saith the Lord; be
upon your guard every man against his neighbour, and in
your ΟΛνη brothers place no confidence; for every brother will
5 supplant, and every friend walk deceitfully; every one will treat
his friend with contempt. They cannot speak truth; their
tongue hath learned to speak lies. They have done injustice,
6 and have not stopped to rectify it. There is usury upon usury,
deceit upon deceit; they refused to know me, saith the Lqrd:
7 therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I will melt them and
try them. What else can I do on account of the wickedness
8 of the daughter of my people? Their tongue is a wounding
dart : the words of their mouth are deceitful. To his neigh-
bour one speaketh peace; when inwardly he harboureth enmi-
9 ty. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord; and on
10 such a nation shall not my soul be avenged? Take ye up a
lamentation for the mountains, and for the paths of the wilder-
ness, a song of woe; for such is the desolation that there are no
men, nor is there a sound of existence heard from birds of
the air, nor from cattle. They Avere confounded. They are fled.
Ill will indeed deliver up Jerusalem to captivity and make it a
den for jackals; and the cities of Juda an uninhabitable desola-
tion.
12 (p) Whoever is a Avise man, let him understand this; and
let him, who hath a word from the mouth of the Lord, declare
to you, for what cause the land is destroyed — burned up like a
desert, so as not to be travelled.
1 3 IV. AGAIN the Lord said to me,
(J) Because they have forsaken my law which I set before
14 them and have not hearkened to my voice : but have gone af-
ter the pleasures of their own wicked heart, and after the idols
Ch. χ. JEREMIAS.
15 which their fathers taught them; therefore thus saith the
Lord the God of Israel, behold I will feed them with worm-
16 wood, and give them water of gall to drink. And I will scat-
ter them among the nations, which neither they nor their fa-
thers have known, and send a sword after them till they are
17 consumed by it. Thus saith the Lord, Call the mourning
women and let them come ; send for the well instructed and
18 let them utter a plaintive sound and take up a mournful la-
mentation for you : and let your eyes collect tears, and your
eye lids gush out water.
19 (p) Because a sound of wailing is heard in Sion ; " Oh
how wretched we are ! how greatly confounded because we
20 have left our land, and abandoned our habitations :" hear I
beseech you, Ο women ! a word of God : and let your ears
receive the wOrds of his mouth : and teach your daughters a
song of woe ; and every woman, her neighbour the mournful
21 dirge. For death is gone up through your windows : it is come
into your land, to destroy infants at home and young men in
22 the streets : and the carcasses of the men shall be for a spec-
tacle on the open field throughout your land, like grass after
a mower and there will be none to gather.
23 (J) Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man boast of
hi': wisdom : nor the mighty man boast of his strength ; nei-
24 ther let the rich man boast of his riches : but let him who
boasteth, boast of this only, that he understandeth and know-
eth, that I am the Lord, who exercise mercy and judgment
and justice on the earth : that in these things is my delight,
25 saith the Lord. Behold days are coming, saith the Lord, when I
will visit upon all the uncircumcised, their uncircumcisions —
26 Upon Egypt, and upon Idumea, and upon Edom, and upon
the Ammonites, and upon the Moabitcs, and upon all that
have their foreheads shaven — namely them who dwell in the
wilderness.
Because all the nations are uncircumcised in flesh, and all
X. the house of Israel are uncircumcised in their hearts; hear
the word of the Lord which he hath spoken for you Ο house
of Israel. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the ways of the na-
tions, and at the signs of heaven be not dismayed, because
3 they are terrified at these appearances, because the ordinances
Ch. χ. JEREMIAS.
of the nations are vain. Timber is cut from the forest : a car-
penter's work and a molten image are adorned with silver and
4 s:old. Having fastened them with mallets and nails they will
5 place them and they are not to be moved. They are silver
which can be turned in a lathe ; they cannot walk. They
9 are silver which can be formed into plates. From Tharsis
will come the gold of Mophaz, and the hand of men skilled
in casting gold. They are all the workmanship of artists.
5 With blue and purple raiment they are to be clothed : They
must be taken up and carried ; for they cannot Avalk. Fear
them not for they can do you no harm, and there is no good
11 in them. Thus shall you say to them, Let the gods, which
have not made heaven and earth, perish from the earth and
12 from under heaven. It is the Lord who made the earth by his
power, who established the world by his wisdom : and by his
13 understanding spread out the heaven, and the multitude of
waters in heaven : when he brought up clouds from the ex-
tremity of the earth ; he made the lightning for rain, and
14 brought light forth from his treasuries. Every man on account
of knowledge became foolish. Every melter of gold was put
to shame for his graven images, because he cast falsities and
15 there is no breath in them. These ridiculous works are vain;
16 in the time of their visitation they shall perish. Unlike to these
is the portion of Jacob : for he who formed all things is his
17 inheritance. His name is. The Lord. He hath collected from
18 abroad the substance of thee, dwelling in chosen places. For
thus saith the Lord, Behold I am about to subvert with afflic-
tion the inhabitants of this land, that the stroke may reach thee.
19 Alas for thine affliction ! the stroke given thee is painful.
(p) Upon this I said. This is a wounding thee indeed !
20 it hath sunk deep in thee ! thy tent is in a miserable state. It
is ruined. And all thy curtains are torn to pieces.
(c) My children and my flocks are no more. There is not
a trace of my tent left — no remains of my curtains.
21 (J) Because the shepherds were foolish and sought not
the Lord, therefore the whole flock was thoughdess and they
22 are scattered. A noisy sound ! Hark ! it is coming. And a
great commotion from the land of the north, to make the cities
of Juda a desolation and a haunt of ostriches.
Ch. XI. JEREMIAS.
23 (ρ) I know, Ο Lord, that the way of man is not in him-
self, nor can a man who travelleth ensure to himself a prosper-
24 ous journey. Correct us, Ο Lord, but with judgment and not
with wrath, that thou mayst not make us few in number. —
25 Pour out thy wrath on the nations that know thee not, and on
the families which have not invoked thy name. Because they
have devoured Jacob and consumed him, and have made his
pasture a desolation.
XL V. THE word which came to Jeremias from the Lord,
2 saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant : and thou shalt
speak to the men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
3 and say to them. Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, Cur-
4 sed is the man who will not hearken to the words of that
covenant which I enjoined on your fathers, at the time when
I brought them out of the land of Egypt ; out of the iron fur-
nace saying. Hearken to my voice, and do all that I command
you : and you shall be my people, and I will be your God ;
5 that I may perform the oath which I sware to your fathers
to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this
day. Thereupon I answered and said. So be it, Ο Lord.
6 Then the Lord said to me. Read these words in the cities
of Juda and in the streets of Jerusalem, and say. Hear the
8 words of this covenant and do them. And when they did not:
9 the Lord said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of
10 Juda and among the inhabitants of ' Jerusalem. They have
turned back to the iniquities of their fathers, who refused to
hearken to my words. And lo they are going after strange
gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of
Juda have broken my covenant which I made with their fa-
ll thers ; therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I am bringing
upon this people evils, from which they shall not be able to
escape. And when they cry to me I v/ill not hearken to them.
12 Let the cities of Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and
cry to the gods, to which they burn incense ; but which can-
13 not save them in the time of their adversity. Since according
to the number of thy cities were thy gods, Ο Juda — and ac-
cording to the number of the streets of Jerusalem, you erected
Ch. XII. JEREMIAS.
14 altars to burn incense to Baal ; therefore pray not thou for
this people, nor intercede for them with supplication and pray-
er ; for I will not hearken when they call on me in the time
of their distress.
15 What! my beloved hath committed abomination in my
very house! will prayers and holy meats remove from thee thy
16 wickedness? or by means of these shalt thou escape? The
Lord called thy name The beautiful shady olive. At the sound
of lopping it a fire was kindled against it. Great is the afflic-
17 tion coming upon thee. Its branches are destroyed. The Lord
who planted thee hath denounced evils against thee, for the
wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Juda, for
they have brought this upon themselves by burning incense
to Baal to provoke me.
18 (p) Inform me, Ο Lord, and let me know!
19 Then I saw their devices. As for me I like a lamb led to
slaughter did not know. Against me they had formed a wick-
ed design, saying, "Come, let us put poison in his bread, and
cut him off from the land of the living; and let his name be
mentioned no more."
20 Ο Lord, who judgest righteously, trying reins and hearts!
let me see thy vengeance on them, for to thee I have laid open
my cause.
21 On this account, thus saith the Lord to the men of Ana-
thoth, who seek my life, Avho say thou shalt not prophesy in
the name of the Lord — if thou dost; thou shalt die by our
22 hand, "Behold I will punish them. Their 340ung men shall die
by the sword. And their sons and their daughters shall die by
23 famine. And there shall not be a remnant of them left; for I
will bring evils on the inhabitants of Anathoth in the year of
their visitation."
XII. (p) Righteous as thou art, Ο Lord, can I defend a
cause against thee? but let me speak to thee in respect to judg-
ments. Why is the way of wicked men prosperous? why are
2 they ha])py who have been all guilty of perfidy? Thou hast
planted them and they have taken root, they have generated
and produced fruit. Thou art near in their mouth, but far from
3 their reins. But thou, Ο Lord, knowest me. Thou hast tried
Ch. XII. JEREMIAS.
my heart before thee. Prepare them for the day of their slaugh-
4 ter. How long shall the land mourn, and all the grass of the
field be withered, for the wickedness of them who dwell there-
in? The cattle and fowls are vanished; because they said, God
will not regard our ways.
5 (J) Thy feet run and fail thee: what preparation canst
thou make, for horses? In thy land of peace hast thou been se-
6 cure? how wilt thou act at the swelling of Jordan? since even
thy brethren and the house of thy father have dealt perfidious-
ly with thee; when they have raised the cry of war — have as-
sembled in pursuit of thee, wilt thou trust them, because they
7 speak thee fair? I have forsaken my house, I have abandoned
my heritage, I have given the beloved of my soul into the
8 hands of her enemies. My heritage became to me like a lion
9 in a forest; against me it roared; therefore I hated it. Is not
this heritage of mine the den of a hyena? to me indeed it is the
den around her. Go, collect all the beasts of the field and let
10 them come and devour it. Many shepherds have destroyed my
vineyard, they have defiled my portion, they have made my
11 beloved portion a trackless desert: it is given up to total de-
struction. On my account the whole land is utterly desolated:
because there is not a man who layeth this to heart, a-
12 gainst every outlet by the wilderness destroyers are come: be-
cause the sword of the Lord devoureth from one end of the
13 land to the other; there is no peace for any flesh. Sow wheat
and reap brambles. Their portions shall not profit them. Be
14 ashamed of your boasting, ofreproaches against the Lord. For
thus saith the Lord, respecting all those malignant neighbours,
who touch my inheritance which I parcelled out to my peo-
pie Israel; behold I am about to pluck them out of their land,
15 and I will drive out Juda from among them, but after I have
driven them out, I will return and have compassion on them,
16 and settle them every one in his inheritance even every one in
his own land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently
learn the way of my people to swear by my name, "As the
Lord liveth" as they taught my people to swear by Baal; they
17 shall be established among my people: but if they will not re-
turn; I will assuredly root out that nation with ruin and de-
struction.
Ch. XIIL JEREMIAS.
XIII. VI. Thus saith the Lord, Go and get thee a linen gir-
dle and gird it about thy loins; but it must not be washed with
2 water. And when 1 had procured the girdle according to the
3 word of the Lord and had girded it about my loins, a word of
4 the Lord came to me saying, Take the girdle which is about
thy loins, and arise and go to the Euphrates and hide it there
5 in the hole of the rock. So I went and hid it by the Euphrates
6 as the Lord commanded me. And after many days the Lord
said to me, "Arise and go to the Euphrates and take thence
7 the girdle, which I commanded thee to hide there." So I went
to the river Euphrates and digged and took the girdle out of
the place where I had buried it; and behold it was rotten and
8 good for nothing. Then a word of the Lord came to me say-
9 ing, Thus saith the Lord, So will I mar the haughtiness of Ju-
10 da, and the haughtiness of Jerusalem, that great haughtiness—
them who refuse to hearken to my words, and have gone af-
ter strange gods to serve them and worship them: and they
11 shall be like this girdle which is good for nothing. For as the
girdle is tightly bound around the loins of its OAvner; so did I
iDind to myself the house of Israel, and the whole house
of Juda; that they might be for me a renowned people,
and for a boast and for a glory. But they have not hearkened
12 to me. Therefore thou shalt say to this people, "Every lea-
thern bottle is to be filled with wine." And if they say to thee,
Do we not know very well that every leathern bottle is to be
13 filled with wine? Then thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the
Lord, Behold I will fill the inhabitants of this land, both their
kings who are seated as sons of David on their thrones, and
the priests and the prophets, even Juda and all the inhabitants of
14 Jerusalem, with drunkenness. And I will scatter them, their
heads of families and their brethren, both fathers and their sons
at the same time. I will not have compassion saith the Lord, nor
will I spare, nor pity them for their destruction.
15 (p) Hearken and give ear and be not elated; for the Lord
16 hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before the
darkness cometh, and before your feet stumble on the dark
mountains; Avhen you will wait for light; and the shadow of
17 death will be there; and they shall be placed in darkness. But
' if you will not hearken, your soul sl>aU weep in secret for ynnr
VOL. iir. ^
Ch. XIV. JEREMIAS.
haug:htiness; and tears shall gush from your eyes; because the
flock of the Lord is destroyed.
18 (J) Say to the king and the rulers, Humble yourselves
and sit on the ground; for from your head is taken your crown
19 of glory. The cities of the south shall be shut up and there shall
be none to open. Juda is removed; they have made a complete
20 removal. Raise thine eyes, Ο Jerusalem, and see them who are
coming from the north! Where is the flock that was given thee
21 — the flock of thy glory? What wilt thou say, when these visit
thee? seeing thou thyself hast taught them against thyself les-
sons for government. Will not pangs seize thee as a woman in
22 travail? Now shouldst thou say in thy heart, "Why have such
things befallen me?" For the greatness of thine iniquity, thy
back is uncovered that thy heels may be exposed to view!
23 Will an Ethiopian change his skin and a leopard her spots?
As for you then, will you who have learned these evils be able
24 to do good? Therefore I have scattered them like stubble
25 whirled by wind to a desert; this then shall be thy lot and por-
tion for your disobeying me, saith the Lord. As thou hast for-
26 gotten me and trusted in lies; I therefore will expose thee na-
27 ked to view that thy shame may be seen — namely thy adulte-
ry and thy neighing and the lewdness of thy whoredom. On
the mounts and in the fields I have seen thine abominations.
Alas for thee, Jerusalem, because thou hast not purified thy-
self to follow me. How much longer will it be before thou
XIV. VII. THERE came also to Jeremias a word of the
2 Lord concerning the drought. Judea mourned and her gates
were deserted : and darkness overspread the land and the cry
3 of Jerusalem ascended. When her nobles sent their underlings
for water ; they went to the wells and found no water and re-
4 turned with their vessels empty. A stop was put to the works
of the field, because there was no rain. The husbandmen
5 were confounded ; they covered their heads. The hinds calv-
ed in the field and left their young, because there was not a
6 plant. The wild asses stood in the forests and snuffed up the
wind : their eyes failed because there was no grass.
7 Our sins have risen up against us. Ο Lord, deal with u^
Ch. XIV. JEREMIAS.
for thine own sake : for our sins are many In thy sight — for
8 we have sinned against thee. Thou, Ο Lord, art the hope of
Israel, and savest in time of troubles. Why art thou become
as a stranger in the land — as a traveller turning aside for a
9 lodging? Wilt thou be like a man asleep or like a head of a
family v^ho cannot save? as thou, Ο Lord, art among us and
10 we are called by thy name, O! do not forget us. Thus saith
the Lord to this people,
(J) They have loved to wander and did not refrain, there-
fore God hath not prospered their ways, he will now remem-
11 ber their iniquity. (p)Then the Lord said to me, pray not for the
12 prosperity of this people; for though they fast I will not hear
their prayer; and though they oflPer whole burnt offerings and
13 sacrifices, I will not accept them. For with sword, and with fa-
mine, and with pestilence, Iwill utterly consume them. There-
upon I said, Ο self-existent Lord! behold their prophets pro-
phesy and say, "You shall not see the sword; nor shall there be
famine among you. For I will give truth and peace in this land
and in this very place."
14 Then the Lord said to me, These prophets prophesy false-
hood in my name; I did not send them, nor command them,
nor did I speak to them. Because they prophesy to you lying
visions and divinations, and auguries, and the devices of their
15 own hearts; therefore thus saith the Lord concerning those
prophets, who prophesy falsehoods in my name, and who say
(though I did not send them) "There shall be no sword nor fa-
mine in this land," they shall die a direful death and by fa-
16 mine these prophets shall be consumed. And the people to
whom they prophesy, with their wives and their sons and their
daughters, shall, by reason of the sword and the famine, be
cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, and there shall be none to
17 bury them, when I pour out these evils on them. Therefore
thou shalt deliver to them this word, "Collect tears for your
eyes day and night and let them not fail; for with a bruise the
daughter of my people is bruised, and the wound is exceed-
ingly painful."
18 (p) If I go out into the field, behold the slain of the sword!
and if I go into the city; behold the distress of famine! see-
ing priest and prophet are gone to a land which they knew not:
Ch. XV. JEREMIAS.
19 hast thou utterly rejected Juda and is thy soul alienated from
Sion? Why hast thou smitten us, and there is no cure for us?
We waited for peace, and there was no good; for a time of
20 healing, and behold trouble! We acknowledge, Ο Lord, our
sins and the iniquities of our fathers — that we have sinned
21 against thee. Ο be appeased for thy name's sake. Destroy not
the throne of thy glory; remember, Ο dissolve not thy cove-
nant with us. Is there any among the idols of the nations who
can give rain? and if the heaven shed its abundance, art thou
not he who causeth it. Therefore we will wait on thee, Ο
Lord, for thou hast done all these things.
XV, Then the Lord said to me. Though Moses and Samuel
stood before me, my soul is not towards them. Send away this
2 people and let them go. And if they say to thee, * 'Whither
shall we go?" then thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the
Lord, such as are for pestilence, to pestilence, and such as are
for the sword, to the sAVord; and such as are for famine, to fa-
3 mine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity. For I will
send against them four kinds of avengers, saith the Lord, the
sword to slay; and the dogs to tear; and the wild beasts of the
4 earth, and the birds of the air to devour and destroy. And I
will deliver them up to distress in all the kingdoms of the
earth, on account of Manasses son of Ezekias king of Juda —
5 for all that he did in Jerusalem. Who will pity thee, Jerusa-
lem? or who Λνϋΐ bemoan thee? or who will turn aside to in-
6 quire after thy welfare? Thou hast turned thy back on me, saith
the Lord: backwards thou shalt go. And I will stretch forth
7 my hand and destroy thee. I will iio longer bear with them; but
utterly disperse them. In the gates of my people they are be-
reaved of children; my people are destroyed because of their
8 wickedness. Their widows are multiplied above the sand of
the sea. Against a mother I have brought soldiers — misery
at noon-day. Upon her I have cast suddenly terror and conster-
9 nation. She who was the mother of seven is childless; her soul
is afflicted, the sun set upon her while it is yet mid-day; she is
ashamed and confounded: the rest of them I will deliver up to
the sword before their enemies.
10 (p) Wo is me, Ο my mother, what sort of a person hast
thou bore me ! a man of strife and contending with all this
Ch. XVI. JEREMIAS.
land ! I have neither lent on usury : nor hath any one lent to >
me ; yet my strength is spent among them who curse me. —
11 Be it so, Ο Lord, while they enjoy prosperity.
(J) Did I not stand by thee, in the time of their calamities
and in the time of their affliction, for good with the enemy ?
12 Shall the sword be felt and thy strength be a coat of mail ?
13 Thy treasures indeed I will give for a spoil in all thy borders,
14 as a ransom for all thy sins ; and I will make thee a slave to
thine enemies around in the land which thou hast not known.
For a fire is kindled from my Avrath and against you it shall
blaze.
15 (p) Ο Lord, remember me and visit me and save me from
them, who are persecuting me past forbearance. Consider
how I have for thy sake borne reproach from them who de-
16 spise thy words. Bring them to an end. But let thy word be
17 to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Because I am called
by thy name, Ο Lord Almighty, I did not sit in the council
of those scorners ; but was struck with awe because of thy
18 hand. I sat alone because I was full of bitterness. Why do
they who grieve me prevail over me ? My wound is deep,
how can I be healed ? It is indeed become to me like deceit-
ful water Λvhich cannot be trusted.
19 (J) Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou wilt return I
will reinstate thee ; and in my presence thou shalt stand. And
if thou wilt lead out the precious from the vile, thou shalt be
as my mouth ; and they shall turn to thee and thou shalt not
20 turn to them. And I will make thee to this people like a strong
wall of brass: though they fight against thee, they shall not pre-
21 vail over thee; for I am with thee to save thee and rescue thee
out of the hand of the wicked. And I Avill redeem thee out of
XVI. the hand of pestilent men. But thou must not take a
wife, saith the Lord God of Israel : nor shall a son or a daugh-
3 ter be born to thee in this place. For thus saith the Lord con-
cerning the sons, and concerning the daughters born in this
place, and concerning the mothers who bare them, and concern-
4 ing their fathers who begot them in this land ; by a direful
death they shall die ; they shall not be lamented, nor shall they
be buried; they shall be for a spectacle on the face of the earth ;
they shall be for tjie v/ild beasts of the earth, and the birds of
Ch. XVI. JEREMIAS.
the air. By the sword they shall fall, and by famine they shall
5 be consumed. Thus saith the Lord, Join not in their funeral
entertainments ; go not to make lamentation nor bewail them.
6 Since I have taken away my peace from this people, no la-
mentation shall be made for them ; nor shall any cut them-
7 selves nor be shaved. There shall neither be bread broken in
their mourning, to comfort them for the dead ; nor shall a cup
of consolation be given to any one for his father or mother.
8 Into a house of feasting thou shalt not enter, to sit with them
9 to eat and to drink : for thus saith the Lord the God of Israel,
behold I am about to remove out of this place, before your
eyes and in these your days, the sound of joy and tlie sound
of mirth, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the
bride.
ΙΌ Now when thou hast proclaimed to this people all these
words and they say to thee, " Why hath the Lord denounced
against us all these evils ? What is our iniquity ? And what
is our sin which we have committed against the Lord our
11 God? Then thou shalt say to them, Because your fathers have
forsaken me, saith the Lord, and have run after . strange gods
and served them and worshipped them, and have forsaken
12 me and have not kept my law ; and you have done evil worse
than your fathers ; and lo 1 you walk every one after the de-
sires of your wicked heart, that you may not hearken to me :
13 therefore I will hurl you out of this land, into a land Avhich
neither you nor your fathers knew ; and you shall there serve
14 strange gods which will shew you no mercy : therefore be-
hold the days are coming, saith the Lord, when they shall
no more say, "As the Lord livethwho brought up the Israel-
is ites out of the land of Egypt : but, as the Lord liveth, who
brought up the house of Israel from the north, and from all
the countries to which they Avere driven ;" for I will bring
16 them again to their land which I gave to their fathers. Behold
I will send many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish
them : and after that I will send many hunters and they shall
hunt them, on every mountain and every hill, and out of the
17 holes of the rocks. Because mine eyes are on all their ways,
18 and their iniquities are not hid from mine eyes ; therefore I
will doubly requite them for their wickedness and their sins
Gh. XVII. JEREMIAS.
— for their having defiled my land with the carcasses of their
abominations, and for their acts of iniquity with which they
have caused my heritage to transgress.
19 (p) Ο Lord, thou art my strength and my help, and my
refuge in days of affliction. To thee nations will come from
the extremity of the earth and say. What lying idols did our
20 fathers possess! there is no advantage in them. If a man make
gods for himself, they are indeed no gods.
21 (J) For this purpose behold! I will at that time mani-
fest my hand to them and make known to them my power,
XVII. 5 and they shall know that my name is The Lord. Cur-
sed is the man whose hope is on man — who shall fix the flesh
of his arm on him, and whose heart hath departed from the
6 Lord. He shall be like the wild myrtle in the desert. He shall
not see when good cometh; but shall dwell in parched places
7 and in a desert — in a salt land which is uninhabited. But bless-
ed is the man who hath trusted in the Lord; and whose hope
8 is the Lord. He will be like a thriving tree near waters which
shall shoot out its roots in a moist soil. It will not be afraid
when heat cometh, though its stock be loaded with branches.
In a year of drouglit it will not be afraid, nor will it fail to
bear fruit.
9 (p) The heart is deep beyojid all things; so also is a man,
who then can know him?
10 (J) I the Lord search hearts and try reins, to give to every
one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
11 devices. A partridge whistled and collected young which it
did not bring forth, increasing its wealth but not with judg-
ment; in the midst of its days they will leave it, and at its end
it will be a fool.
12 (p)Our sanctuary is an exalted throne of glory. Thou, Ο
13 Lord art the hope of Israel. Let all who forsake thee be asham-
ed ; let them who have apostatised be enrolled in the dust,
14 because they have forsaken the Lord the fountain of life.
Heal me, Ο Lord, and 1 shall be healed. Save me, and I
shall be saved. Because thou art my boast, behold they say to
15 me, " Where is the v/ord of the Lord? Let it come. As for
16 me, I was not weary of following thee, nor did I desire the
day of a man : thou knowest. The words which pass my lips
17 are before thee•, be not estranged from me. Spare me in an.
Ch. XVIII. JEREMIA8.
18 evil day. Let my persecutors be ashamed; but let me not be
shamed. Let them be dismayed : but let not me be dismayed.
Bring upon them an evil day. Crush them with a double
crush.
19 VIII. (J) THUS saith the Lord, Go and stand in the gates
of the children of thy people at which the kings of Juda come
20 in and at which they go out, even at all the gates of Jerusalem,,
and thou shalt say to them, Hear the word of the Lord, Ο
kings of Juda and all Juda and all Jerusalem, who enter in by
21 these gates! Thus saith the Lord, Take heed to yourselves
22 and carry no burdens on the sabbath day ; nor go out of the
gates of Jerusalem. Neither carry burdens out of your houses
on the sabbath day nor do any work. Hallow the sabbath day
23 as I commanded your fathers. Though they did not hearken,
though they did not incline their ear, but stiifened their necks
24 more than their fathers, that they might not hearken to me nor
receive instruction; yet if you Λνίΐΐ hearken to me, saith the
Lord, and not carry burdens through the gates of this city on
25 the sabbath day,but hallow the sabbath day by doing no work
thereon; there shall enter in at the gates of this city, kings and
chiefs seated on the throne of David and riding in chariots and
on horses, they and their chiefs, the men of Juda and the inha-
bitants of Jerusalem ; and this city shall be inhabited for the
26 age. And there shall come from the cities of Juda and from
around Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin and from
the plain and from the mountain and from the country to the
south, people bringing whole burnt oflferings and sacrifices
and incense and fine flour and frankincense — bringing offer-
27 ings of thanksgivings to the house of the Lord. But if you
will not hearken to me to hallow the sabbath day, so as not to
carry burdens nor come in at the gates of Jerusalem on the
sabbath day, I will kindle a fire in the gates thereof and it
shall consume the streets of Jerusalem and shall not be
quenched.
XVIII. IX. THE word which came to Jeremias from the Lord,
saying, " Arise and go down to the house of the potter and
3 there tlion shalt henrmv words." So I went down to the house
Ch. XVIII. JEREMIAS.
of the potter; and behold he was making a piece of work on
4 stones; and the vessel, which he was fashioning with his hands,
fell, whereupon he again made it a vessel of another sort as it
5 seemed good to him to make it. Then a word of the Lord
6 came to me saying, Cannot I do with you, Ο house of Israel,
as this potter? Behold you are in my hands like the clay of
7 the potter. When I speak to a nation or kingdom, that I will
8 remove and destroy them; if that nation turn from all their
evils, I will relent in respect to the evils which I was resolv-
9 ing to bring on them. And when I speak to a nation and king.
10 dom that I will build up and replant : If they do evil in my
sight so as not to hearken to my voice, I indeed will alter my
mind in respect to the good things which I spoke of doing for
them.
11 Now I have said to the men of Juda and to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, Behold I am preparing evils against you and
forming against you a determination; turn therefore every one
from his evil way and make better things the objects of your
12 pursuit : but they said, We will act like men. We will fol-
low our own courses; and what every one iindeth agreeable to
13 his own wicked heart that we will do. Therefore thus saith
the Lord, Inquire among the nations. Who hath heard of such
horrible things as the virgin of Israel hath sedulously done?
14 Will crags forsake a rock or snow quit Libanus? Or water
15 turn aside when furiously driven by wind? Because my peo-
ple have forgotten me — have burned incense to vanity; they
will therefore break down the everlasting barriers in their
16 Λvays that they may walk in paths having no road for travel-
ling — that they may make the land a desolation — an everlast-
ing object of pity. AH that pass through it shall be astonished
17 and shake.their head. Like a burning wind I will scatter them
before their enemies. I will shew them the day of their de-
struction.
18 Upon this they said, Come let us settle an account with Je-
remi^s. Because law shall not perish from the priest, nor coun-
sel i .1 the wise, nor a word from the prophet, Come and
that we may smite him witli the tongue, let us hear all his
\vords.
19 Hear me, Ο Lord, and hearken to my justification. Shall
VOL. III. Λ a i
Ch. XIX. JEREMIAS.
20 evils be returned for good offices? Because they contrived de-
signs against my life and concealed the punishment they in-
tended for me. Remember how I stood before thee to intercede
21 for them — to turn away thy wrath from them. For this cause
deliver up their sons to famine and give them up in multitudes
to the sword. Let their wives become childless and widows;
and the husbands be cut off by pestilence and their young men
22 fall by the sword in battle. Let a scream be heard in their
houses. Thou wilt bring robbers suddenly on them because
they contrived a speech to entrap me and concealed the snares
23 they had set for me. Thou indeed, Ο Lord, knewest all their
designs against me to put me to death. Absolve them not
from their wickedness, nor blot out their sins from before thee.
Let their weakness be before thee. Deal with them in the
time of thy wrath.
XIX. Then the Lord said to me, Go and get a pitcher of
earthen ware and thou shalt take out some of the elders of the
2 people and of the priests and go out to the common grave
yard which is at the entrance of the gate Charseith and read
there all these ΛVords which I shall speak to thee and thou
shalt say to them,
3 Hear the word of the Lord, ye kings of Juda and ye men
of Juda and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye who enter in
at these gates. Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold
I am bringing evils upon this place, so that the ears of every
4 one who heareth them shall tingle. Because they have forsaken
me and profaned this place; and have burned incense in it to
strange gods, which neither they nor their fathers knew ; and
the kings of Juda have filled this place with the blood of
5 innocents; and have built high places to Baal to burn their sons
Avith fire, things which I never commanded, and which never
6 came into my mind; therefore behold the days are coming,
saith the Lord, When this place shall no more be called, "The
end of hope," and "The grave yard of the sons of Ennom;'*
7 but "The grave yard of slaughter." For I will slaughter the
council of Juda and the council of Jerusalem in this place ;
And cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and
by the hands of them who seek their lives. And I will give their -
■ carcasses to be meat for the birds of the air and the wild beasts
Ch. XX. JEREMIAS.
8 of the earth, and make this city a desolation and an object of
pity. Every one who passeth by it shall be sad and express
9 the sound of pity for the stroke \A'hich it hath received. They
shall indeed eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their
daughters; and they shall eat, every one, the flesh of his
neighbour, in the blockade and siege with which their ene-
mies shall besiege them.
10 Then thou shalt break the pitcher before the eyes of the
1 1 men who went out with thee and say. Thus saith the Lord, So
will I break this people and this city : as this earthen pitcher
12 is broken and cannot be mended, so will I do, saith the Lord,
to this place and to the inhabitants thereof, that this city may
13 be dashed down like that hopeless vessel. And the houses of
the kings of Juda shall be like this hopeless place, because of
their impurities in all the houses on the tops of which they
burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out liba-
tions to strange gods.
14 Now when Jeremias returned from the grave yard whither
the Lord had sent him to prophesy, he stood up in the court
15 of the house of the Lord and said to all the people. Thus saith
the Lord, Behold I am bringing upon this city and upon all the
cities belonging to it and upon all the villages thereof all the
evils which I have denounced against it, because they have
hardened their necks so as not to heai'ken to my command-
XX. ments. Whereupon Paschor son of Emmer, the priest
2 who was appointed ruler of the house of the Lord, when he heard
Jeremias prophesying these words, smote him and committed
him to the prison which was in the upper story of the gate to
3 the house of the Lord. And when Paschor took Jeremias out
of prison, Jeremias said to him. He hath not called thy name
4 Paschor^ but Exile. For thus saith the Lord, Behold I will
send thee with all thy friends into exile; and they shall fall by
the sword of their enemies and thine eyes shalt see it. I will
deliver thee and all Juda into the hands of the king of Baby-
5 Ion ; and they shall be exiled and slain with swords. And I
will deliver all the strength of this city and all the labours
thereof and all the treasures of the king of Juda into the
hands of his enemies and they shall carry them to Babylon.
6 And thou and all that dwell in thy house shall go into cap-
Ch. XXII. JEREMIAS.
tivity and thou shalt die in Babylon and be buried there, thou
and all thy friends to whom thou hast prophesied falsehoods.
7 {\))IIast thou, Ο Lord deceived me? and have I been deceiv-
ed? Thou hast taken hold and hast prevailed. I am become a
subject of laughter: all the day long I endure reproach. Be-
cause for my bitter word I am to be derided, shall I appeal to
8 a breach of covenant and misery? because the word of the
Lord became a reproach to me — a subject of mockery all the
9 day long; therefore I said, I will not name the name of the
Lord — I will not speak any more in his name. But there was
10 kindled as it were a burning fire in my bones and I became
dejected and cannot bear it. Because I heard the whisper of
many collected from all around saying, "Join in conspiracy
and let us all conspire against him; ye men who are his friends
watch his thoughts; if he can be deceived, we shall then pre-
11 vail over him and take our revenge on him." But the Lord
was with me as a mighty warrior, therefore they persecuted
and could not contrive. They were put to great confusion.
Because they had not a due sense of their infamous practi-.
12 ces, which are never to be forgotten; Ο Lord, who provest
righteous things, who knowest reins and hearts I might have
seen thy vengeance on them. For to thee I laid open my cause.
13 Sing to the Lord; sing praises to him, because he hath rescu-
14 ed the soul of the needy out of the hand of evil doers. "Let the
day be cursed in which I was born — the day in which my mo-
ther bore me; Let it not be mentioned with expressions of
15 joy. Let the man be cursed who brought tidings to my fa-
ther saying, A male child is borne to thee making him glad.
16 Let that man ΐ)6 like the cities which the Lord overthrew in
\vrath and relented not, Let him hear a scream in the morn-
17 ing and the cry of woe at noon-day, because he did not kill me
in the womb, and my mother was not made my grave, and her
18 womb always with child." To what purpose this? I came forth
from the Avomb to see labours and sorrows, and my days have
been spent in shame.
XXII. X. Thus saith the Lord, Go down to the house of
the king of Juda and thou shalt speak there this word and say,
Hear a v/ord of the Lord, Ο king of Juda, who art seated on the
Ch. XXII. JEREMIAS.
throne of David, thou and thy household and thy people and
3 they who enter in at these gates! Thus saith the Lord, Execute
judgment and justice and deliver the spoiled out of the hand
of him who wrongeth him; and over the stranger and the or-
4 phan and the widow tyrannise not; nor be guilty of impiety; nor
shed innocent blood in this place. For if you faithfully exe-
cute this charge, there shall enter in at the gates of this house,
kings seated on the throne of David and riding in chariots and
5 on horses, they and their servants and their people. But if you
will not perform these things, by myself I have sworn, saith
6 the Lord, This house shall be a desolation. For thus saith the
Lord against the house of the king of Juda, though thou wert
to me as Galaad, as the top of Libanus, I will make thee a
7 desolation, cities uninhabitable. I will indeed bring against
thee a destroyer, a man with his axe; and they shall cut down
8 thy choice cedars and throw them into the fire. And when na-
tions shall pass by this city, they will say, every one to his
neighbour, "Why hath the Lord dealt thus with this great
9 city?" To which it will be said in reply, "Because they forsook
the Lord their God and worshipped strange gods and served
them.*'
10 Weep not for him who is dead, nor utter lamentations for
him, weep bitterly for him who is going away; for he shall ne•
11 ver return, nor see any more his native country. For thus saith
the Lord respecting Sellem son of Josias, who reigned in the
12 room of his father and who is gone from this place; he shall not
return hither any more: but in the place to which I have trans-
ported him, there he shall die and this land he shall see no more.
13 With regard to him who is building himself a house, but not
with righteousness, and lofty stories, but not with justice: he
useth the service of his neighbour for nothing, and will not
14 pay him his wages. Thou hast built thyself a well proportion-
ed house, lofty chambers well fitted with windows, and cieled
15 with cedar and painted with vermillion. Is it thy desire to be
made king? because thou art instigated by thy father Achaz,
are there not feasts? are there not entertainments? better Avere
16 it for thee to execute judgment and justice. They did not
take cognisance, they did not administer justice to the lowly,
nor decide rig'hteously the cause of the need}', is not this ow-
Ch. XXIII. JEREMIAS.
17 in,^ to thy not knowing me? saith the Lord. Behold thine eyes
are not good, neither is thy heart; but they are bent upon
thine inordinate desires and on the shedding of innocent blood,
and on injustice, and on murder; that thou mayst perpetrate
these things.
18 Therefore thus saith the Lord respecting Joakim son of
Josias, king of Juda, even concerning this man, they shall not
utter for him the lamentation '■^Alas Brother,'*'' nor shall they
19 bewail him saying, ^''Alas lord.''^ He shall be buried with the bu-
rial of an ass — being blotted out he shall be cast forth without
20 the gates of Jerusalem. Ascend Libanus and scream: ascend
Basan, and shout. Shout till thy voice reach the sea coast; for
21 all thy lovers arc destroyed. I spake to thee respecting thy
fall; but thou saidst, 'Ί will not listen." This hath been thy
22 way from thy youth, thou hast not hearkened to my voice. All
thy shepherds shall be fed with wind; and all thy lovers shall
go into captivity; that thou mayst then be ashamed and con-
23 founded on the account of them who love thee. Ο inhabitant
of Lebanon, who hast thy nest in the cedars, thou shalt groan
bitterly when pangs come upon thee like those of a woman in
24 travail: as I live saith the Lord ^though Jechonias may be
made a son of Joakim, a king of Juda, a signet on my right
25 hand I will drag thee out thence and deliver thee into the
hands of them who seek thy life — of them whose countenance
26 thou dreadest — into the hands of the Chaldeans. And I Avill
cast out thee and the mother who brought thee forth, into a
27 land where thou wast not born, and there thou shalt die. Into
28 the land which their souls long for they shall not return. Jecho-
luas is dishonoured like a vessel which is useless, because he
29 is hurled away and cast into a land which he knew not. Ο
30 earth, earth, hear a word of the Lord! record the chieftain him-
self as a man of low rank, exiled by the voice of a herald; for
no increase from his seed shall sit on the throne of David, nor
any more be chief in Juda.
XXIII. XI. HA! the shepherds are destroying and scatter-
ing the sheep of their pasture. Therefore thus saith the Lord
2 to the shepherds of my people. You have scattered my flock
and driven them away and have not watched them; behold I
3 will punish you according to your malignant doings. And I
eh. XXIII. JEREMIAS.
will gather the remains of my people in every land whither I
have driven them and bring; them back to their own pasture
4 and they shall increase and multiply. And I will raise up shep-
herds for them who will feed them. And they shall no more be
terrified nor affrighted, saith the Lord.
5 Behold the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will
raise up for David a righteous shoot, who shall reign king and
6 understandandexecute judgmentand justice ontheearth. Inhis
days Juda shall be saved and Israel shall dwell securely. And
the name which the Lord will give him by the prophets shall
be Josedek [Lord of righteousness.]
9 (p) My heart within me was broken. All my bones qui-
vered. I was like a man sore bruised and like a man staggering
Avith wine, at the presence of the Lord, and at the comeli-
10 ness of his glory; because on account of them the land mourn-
ed and the pastures of the wilderness were parched up — be-
cause their course was bad and suitably thereto their strength.
11 (J) Because priest and prophet are polluted, and in my
12 house I have seen their wickedness; let their way therefore be
slippery and dark, that they may stumble and fall therein. For
I will bring evils upon them in the year of their visitation.
13 Among the prophets of Samaria I saw indeed unlawful do-
ings — they prophesied in the name of Baal and led my people
14 Israel astray: but among the prophets of Jerusalem I saw hor-
rible things — some committing adultery, and some walking in
lies, and some strengthening the hands of the multitude, that
none might turn from his evil way. To me they are all be-
come like Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof like Gomorra:
15 therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I will feed them with
wormwood, and give them the water of gall to drink. Because
from the prophets of Jerusalem pollution has gone forth
t6 through all the land, thus saith the Lord Almighty, Hearken
not to the words of these prophets; for they contrive for them-
selves a foolish vision: they speiik from their own hearts and
17 not from the mouth of the Lord. They say to them who re-
ject the word of the Lord, "You shall have peace." Even to
all who are walking by their own desires, and to every one
walking in the error of his own heart they say, "Evils shall not
IS come upon thee. For which of them hath stood in the council
Ch. ΧΧΠΙ. JEREMiAS.
of the Lord and seen? who hath hearkened and heard his
19 voice?" Behold a tempest from the Lord and wrath Uke a hur-
ricane is issuing forth: it will come like a whirlwind upon the
20 wicked; and from the purpose of his heart the wrath of the
Lord will not turn away; until it hath executed it; and until he
hath established it. In the last of these days they shall perceive
21 this. I did not send these prophets, but they ran of themselves;
22 I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. Now had they
stood in the firm belief of me and heard my word, they might
23 have turned my people from their wicked pursuits. I am God
24 when near, saith the Lord; and am I not God when far off?
Can any one hide himself in secret places; and I not see him?
25 Do I not fill the heaven and the earth? saith the Lord. I have
heard what these prophets speak — what they prophesy in my
26 name, saying falsely, "I have dreamed a dream." How long
shall it be in the heart of these prophets, who prophesy lies,
27 that by prophesying the desires of their own hearts — they may
count upon causing my name to be forgotten, by their dreams
which they tell, every one to his neighbour; as their fathers
28 forgot my name by using Baal? Let the prophet, who hath a
dream, tell his dream: and let him, to whom my word cometh,
declare it with truth. Why is the chaff added to the wheat? Is
29 not this the case with my words? saith the Lord. Behold are
not my words like fire? saith the Lord; and like a sledge which
30 breaketh a rock? Therefore behold I am against those pro-
phets, saith the Lord, who steal my words every one from his
31 neighbour. Behold I am against those prophets, who belch
forth prophesies of the tongue and drowse their dozy drows-
32 ings: therefore behold I am against those prophets who prophe-
sy false dreams. Have they not told them and led my people
astray by their lies and their errors? As for me, I neither sent
them nor commanded them; therefore they cannot in any wise
33 benefit this people. Now if this people or a priest or a prophet
should ask, "What is the burden of the Lord?" Thou shalt
say to them, "You are that burden and I will cast you off, saith
34 the Lord." As for the prophet and the priests and the people
who say, "The burden of the Lord;" I will punish that man
35 and his house. Thus you shall say every one to his neighbour
and every one to his brother, "What hath the Lord answered,"
Ch. XXVI. JEREMIAS.
36 and, "What hath the Lord spoken." So mention no more the
burden of the Lord: since every man's word shall be his bur-
37 den. "But why hath the Lord our God spoken?" For this
38 cause, saith the Lord our God, because you have used this ex-
pression, "The Burden of the Lord," though I sent to you say-
39 ing. You shall not say, "The Burden of the Lord." There-
fore behold I will take and dash down you and this city which
40 I gave to you and your fathers ; and I will bring upon you
everlasting reproach, and everlasting dishonour which shall
not be forgotten.
XXVL XIL In the beginning of the reign of Joakim son
of Josias, this word came from the Lord. .
2 Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the court of the house of
the Lord and thou shalt solemnly pronounce to all the Jews
and to all who come to worship in the house of the Lord all
the words which I have commanded thee to prophesy to them;
3 keep not back a \vord. Perhaps they may hearken and turn
every one from his evil way, that I may refrain from all the
evils which I am resolving to do to them, because of their
4 wicked pursuits. And thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord,
Unless you hearken to me so as to walk by the ordinances
5 which I have set before you ; and hearken to the words of my
servants the prophets, whom I send to you, whom I, rising-
early, have sent to you, though you have not hearkened to them;
6 I will make this house like Selo ; and this city I will make a
curse for all the nations of the whole earth.
7 So the priests and the false prophets and all the people
heard Jeremias pronouncing these words in the house of the
8 Lord. And when Jeremias had done speaking all that tlie
Lord had commanded him to deliver to all the people ; the
priests and the false prophets and all the people seized him,
9 saying, Thou shalt be put to death, because thou hast prophe-
sied in the name of the Lord saying, " This house shall be
like Selo, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitants."
And all the people were assembled against Jeremias in the
10 house of the Lord. When the chiefs of Juda heard the affair,
they went up from the king's house to the house of the Lord
11 and sat doAvn in the vestibule of the new gate. And the priests
and the false prophets addressed the chiefs, and said to all the
V0L. III. Β b
Ch. XXVI. JEREMIAS.
people, Let sentence of death pass on this man, because he
hath prophesied against this city as you have heard with your
12 ears. Whereupon Jeremias addressing the chiefs, spoke to
all the people saying, The Lord hath sent me to prophesy
against this house and against this city, all the words which
13 you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your
doings, and hearken to the voice of the Lord ; and the Lord
will refrain from all the evils which he hath denounced against
14 you. As for me, behold I am in your hands. Do with me as
15 seemeth good and best to you. But be assured that if you
put me to death, you bring innocent blood on yourselves and
upon this city and upon the inhabitants thereof. For in truth,
the Lord hath sent me to you to speak all these words in your
hearing.
16 Then the chiefs and all the people said to the priests and
the false prophets. This man is not liable to death, for he hath
17 spoken to us in the name of the Lord. And there stood up
some principal men of the elders of the land, and said to all
18 the assembly of the people, Michaias the Morasthite lived in
the days of Ezekias king of Juda, and he said to all the peo-
ple of Juda, " Thus said the Lord, Sion shall be ploughed
like a field; and Jerusalem shall be a desolation; and the moun-
19 tain of this house, a grove of a forest :" but did Ezekias and
all Juda put him to death? No. Because they feared the Lord;
and because they intreated the favour of the Lord : therefore
the Lord refrained from the evils which he had denounced
against them. Now as for us, we have committed great evils
against our souls.
20 Now there was a man who prophesied in the name of the
Lord, namely Ourias son of Samaias of Kariathiarim ; and he
prophesied against this land according to all the words of
21 Jeremias. And \vhen king Joakim and all the chiefs heard
all his words, and sought to kill him and Ourias heard it, he
22 fled to Egypt. And the king sent men to Egypt, who fetched
23 him out thence and brought him to the king ; and he slew
him with the sword and threw him into the common gi'ave
24 yard. But the hand of Achikam son of Saphan was with Je-
remias that they should not deliver him up into the hands of
the people, nor kill him.
Ch. XXV. JEREMIAS.
XXV. XIII. THE word which came to Jeremias concern-
ing all the people of Juda in the fourth year of Joakim son of
2 Josias king of Juda, which he spoke to all the people of Juda
and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
3 (J) From the thirteenth year of Josias son of Amos king
of Juda even to this day, for three and twenty years I have
spoken to you rising early and speaking : and I have sent to
you my servants the prophets ; rising early and sending them,
5 though you have not hearkened nor inclined your ears ; say-
ing, Turn ye every one from his evil way, and from your
wicked pursuits and you shall dwell in this land, which I gave
6 to you and your fathers from age to age. Go not after strange
gods to serve them, and worship them, that you may not provoke
7 me by the works of your hands to bring evils upon you. Butyou
8 hearkened not to me. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Since you
have not believed my words, behold I am sending, and I will
take a family from the north and bring them against this land and
against the inhabitants thereof and against all the nations
9 around it. And I will lay them waste and make them a deso-
10 lation and an object of pity and an everlasting reproach. And I
ΛνΙΙΙ destroy from among them the sound of joy and the sound
of gladness ; the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of
11 the bride ; the odour of myrrh and the light of the lamp. And
the whole country shall be a desolation. And they shall be
12 slaves among the nations seventy years. And when the se-
venty years are compleated I will execute vengeance on that
13 nation, and make them an everlasting desolation. I will indeed
bring against that land all these words of mine which I have
spoken against it — all the things which are written in this
book which Jeremias prophesied against the nations, in the
14 manner the Lord, the God of Israel said, " Take this cup of
wine — this strong wine from my hand, and thou shalt make
16 all the nations, to which I send thee, drink it. And they shall
drink and vomit and rave, because of the sword which I send
17 among them. So I took the cup out of the hand of the Lord
and made all the nations drink to which the Lord sent me,
namely Jerusalem, and the cities of Juda, and the kings of Ju-
da, and his chiefs, to make them a desolation and a waste and
1 9 an object of pity ; also Pharao kmg of Egypt and his servants
Ch. XXV. JEREMIAS.
and his nobles and all his people ; and all the mixed people ;
20 and all the kings of the Phihstines, (namely Ascalon and Gaza
21 and Akkaron and the remnant of Azotus ;) and Idumea and
22 Moab and the children of Ammon ; and the kings of Tyre
and the kings of Sidon ; and the kings on the border of the
23 sea ; and Daidan and Thaiman and Ros, and all that had their
24 foreheads shaven ; and all the mixed people who dwell in the
25 desert ; and all the kings of Ailam and all the kings of the
26 Persians and all the kings north of the sun, far and near, every
one adjoining his brother, even all the kingdoms on the face
27 of the earth. And thou shalt say to them, Thus said the
Lord Almighty, Drink and be drunk, and you shall vomit,
and fall and rise no more because of the sword which I send
among you.
28 And if they refuse to take the cup out of thy hand to drink,
then thou shalt say. Thus saith the Lord, You shall drink it :
29 for in the city which is called by my name I am beginning to
inflict calamity and with purification you shall not be purified;
for I am calling for a sword against all the inhabitants of the
30 earth. Therefore thou shalt prophesy against them all these words
and say; The Lord from on high will solemnly pronounce sen-
tence from his sanctuary; he will utter his voice — in his place
he will utter a triumphant shout and some like the treaders of
grapes will answer. When destruction hath come on the inha-
31 bitants of this land — upon a part of the earth; because the
Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will come to
judgment with all flesh; and the wicked shall be given up to the
32 sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Behold evils are
coming from nation to nation. A mighty tempest is issuing
33 forth from the extremity of the earth, and the slain of the
Lord shall be in the day of the Lord from one end of the
earth to the other. They shall not be buried. They shall be
34 for dung on the face of the earth. Raise the mournful cry, ye
shepherds; utter loud moans and lamentations, ye rams of the
flock; for the days for your slaughter are accomplished, and
35 ye shall fall like choice rams; and the shepherds shall have no
36 way to flee, nor the rams of the flock to escape. Hark ! a sound
of the shepherds' screaming ! and a doleful bleating of the
sheep and the rams ! For the Lord hath utterly destroyed their
Ch. XXXVI. JEREMIAS.
37 pastures and because of his fierce anger he will put an end to
38 the remains of peace. Like a lion he hath quitted his covert;
therefore their land is become a trackless desert by reason of
the mighty sword.
XXXVI. XIV. IN the fourth year of Joakim son of Josias
king of Juda, a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Take
thee a roll of a book and write therein all the words which I
2 have spoken to thee against Jerusalem and against Juda and
against all the nations from the day I first spoke to thee — from
3 the days of Josias king of Juda even to this day. Perhaps the
house of Juda will hear all the evils which I purpose to do to
them, that they may turn from their evil way and that I may
4 be merciful to their iniquities and their sins. Thereupon Jere-
mias sent for Baruch, son of Nerias, and he wrote in a book,
from the mouth of Jeremias, all the words which the Lord had
5 spoken to him. Then Jeremias gave a charge to Baruch, say-
ing, I am watched so that I cannot go to the house of the Lord;
6 therefore thou shalt read from this roll in the hearing of the
people in the house of the Lord on the fast day, even in the
hearing of all Juda who come from their cities thou shalt read
7 to them. Perhaps they may find favour in the sight of the Lord
and turn from their evil way, for great is the wrath and the
anger of the Lord which he hath denounced against this peo-
ple.
8 So Baruch did according to all that Jeremias commanded
him, that he might read from the book the words of the Lord
9 in the house of the Lord. And it came to pass that in the eighth
year of the reign of Joakim, in the ninth month, all the people
in Jerusalem and the house of Juda kept a solemn fast before
10 the Lord. And Baruch read from the book the words of Jere-
mias in the house of the Lord in the house of Gamarias son of
Saphan the scribe, in the upper court at the vestibule of the
new gate of the house of the Lord and in the hearing of all the
1 1 people. And when Michaias son of Gamarias son of Saphan
heard all the words of the Lord from the book, he went down
12 to the king's house, to the house of the secretary; and lo ! all
the chiefs were there in council, namel}^, Elisamathe secretar}-,
and Dallas son of Selcmias, and Jonathan son of Achobar and
Ch. XXXVI. JEREMIAS.
Gamarias son of Saphan and Sedekias son of Ananias and all
13 the chiefs. And when Michaiastold them all the words which
he had heard, which Baruch read in the hearing of the people,
all the chiefs sent Jiidin son of Nathanias son of Selemias, son
14- of Chusi to Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll thou art
reading to the people and come. Accordingly Baruch took the
15 roll and went down to them. And they said to him, Read it
16 again to us. So Baruch read it. And when they had heard all
the words, they consulted, and said one to another, We must
17 certainly inform the king of all these words. Then they ques-
tioned Baruch and said, Where didst thou write all these words?
18 And Baruch said. From his mouth. Jeremias dictated to me all
19 these words and I ^Mote them in a book. Then they said to
Baruch, Go and hide, both thou and Jeremias and let no man
20 know where you are. Then they went to court to the king, but
left the roll in safe keeping in the house of Elisamas and diey
21 told the king all the words. And the king sent Judm lor the
book. And Judin having brought it from the house of Elisa-
mas read it in the hearing of the king and in the hearing of all
the chiefs Avho were standing round the king.
22 Now the king was sitting in the winter house and there
23 was a grate with fire in it before him. So as Judin read three
or four folds, he cut them oflP with the secretary's knife and
24 threw them into the fire in the grate, till the whole roll was
consumed in the fire. But neither the king nor his ser\'ants,
who heard all these words, made any inquiry nor rent their
25 clotlies. Nay Elnathan and Godolias suggested to the king to
26 bum the roll. Then the king commanded Jeremeel the king's
son and Saraias son of Esriel to apprehend Baruch and Jere-
mias. But they had hid themselves.
27 And after the king had burned the roll — all the words
which Baruch had \\Titten from the mouth of Jeremias, a word
2^ of the Lord came to Jeremias, saying, Take thee another roll
and write all the words which were in that roll which king
Joakim hath burned, and thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord,
29 Thou hast burned that roll, saying, " Why hast thou written
therein and said the king of Babylon shall surely come and lay
waste this land, so that neither man nor beast shall be left there-
30 in;" therefore thus said the Lord respecting Joakim king of
XXXV. JEREMIAS.
Juda, He shall not have one to sit on the throne of David; and
his carcass shall be exposed to the heat of the day and to the
31 frost of the night: and I will keep a watch upon him and upon
his family and upon his servants and bring upon him and
upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the land of Juda
all the evils which I have denounced against them and to
which they have not heai'kened.
32 So Baruch took another roll and wrote thereon from the
mouth of Jeremias all the words of the book which Joakim
had burned and to it were added more words similar to them.
XXXV. XV. The word which came to Jeremias from the
2 Lord in the days of Joakim king of Juda, saying, Go to the fa-
mily of Archabin and thou shalt bring them to the house of the
3 Lord, into one of the courts, and give them wine to drink. Ac-
cordingly I brought Jechonias son of Jeremin son of Chaba-
sinwith his brethren and his sons, even all the family of Archa-
4 bin, and took them into the house of the Lord, to the chamber
of the sons of Jonan son of Ananias son of Godolias, a man of
God, which is near the house of the chiefs Λνΐιο are above the
5 house of Maasias son of Selom, the keeper of the court. And
having set before them a pot of wine and drinking cups, I said,
6 drink wine. Thereupon they said, We must not drink wine.
For Jonadab son of Rechab our father gave us a charge, say-
ing. You shall not drink wine; neither you nor your sons for-
7 ever; neither shall you build houses, nor sow seed, nor have a
vineyard; for you shall dwell in tents all your days, that you
8 may live many days in the land where you sojourn. Accord-
ingly we have hearkened to the voice of Jonadab our father
so as not to drink wine all our days, neither we nor our
9 wives, nor our sons nor our daughters; and we have not
10 built houses here to live in, nor have we vineyard, or field or
seed; but have dwelt in tents and have hearkened and done ac^
1 1 cording to all that our father Jonadab commanded us. So when
Nabuchodonosar came up against the land, we determined
upon coming and came to Jerusalem out of the way of the ar-
my of the Chaldeans and out of the way of the army of the
Assyrians, and here we have made our abode.
Ch. XXIII. XXIV. JEREMIAS.
12 Upon this a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thus
13 saith the Lord, Go and say to the men of Juda and to the inha-
bitants of Jerusalem, Will vou never receive instruction to
14 hearken to my words? The children of Jonadab son of Rechab
have stedfastly observed the command which he gave them
not to drink wine : and they have not drunk any. But I have
spoken to you, rising early; and you have not hearkened.
15 Though I have sent to you my servants the prophets; saying,
Turn ye, every one from his evil way, and amend your doings,
and go not after strange gods to serve them, and you shall
16 dwell in the land which I gave to you and your fathers ; yet
you have not inclined your ears nor hearkened. The sons of
Jonadab son of Rechab have stedfastly observed the command
of their father ; but this people have not hearkened to me.
17 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I Avill bring upon Ju-
da and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evils which I
18 have denounced against them. Therefore thus saith the Lord,
Seeing the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab have obeyed the
19 command of their father and have done as he ordered them;
there shall never be wanting a man of the sons of Jonadab son
of Rechab to stand before me all the days of this land.
XXIII. 40 XVI. BECAUSE of this prophesy (ch. 16, v. 14, 15)
" Behold the days are coming, saith the Lord, When they shall
no more say, "As the Lord liveth who brought up the house
of Israel, out of the land of Egypt," but, " As the Lord liveth
who gathered all the seed of Israel from the land of the north
and from all the countries whither he had driven them and re-
XXIV. established them in their own land" the Lord shewed
me two baskets of figs set before the temple of the Lord, after
Nabuchodonosar the king of Babylon had carried away Je-
chonias son of Joakim king of Juda and the chiefs and the ar-
tisans and the prisoners of war and the rich men from Jerusa-
2 lem and brought them to Babylon. The one was a basket of
very fine figs, such as are first ripe; and the other was a bas-
3 ket of very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And-
the Lord said to me. What seest thou, Jeremias? And 1 said,
Figs. The good figs, very good : and the bad figs, very bad —
5 so bad, that they cannot be eaten. Then a word of the Lord
Ch. XXX. JEREMIAS.
came to me saying, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel,
Like these good figs so will I acknowledge for good those ba-
nished Jews whom I have sent from this place to the land of
6 the Chaldeans. And I will fix mine eyes upon them for good
and re-establish them in this land for good. And I will build
7 them up and not pull them down : and I will plant them and
not root them up : and I will give them a heart to know me,
that I am the Lord : and they shall be my people, and I will
be their God; for they will turn to mc with their whole heart.
8 But like those bad figs which for their badness cannot be
eaten, thus saith the Lord, So will I deliver up Zedekias king
of Juda and his nobles and the remnant of Jerusalem — them
9 who are left in this land and them who dwell in Egypt. Them
indeed I will devote to dispersion in all the kingdoms of the
earth; and they shall be for a reproach and for a by- word and
for a taunt and a curse in every place whither I shall drive
10 them. And I will send against them famine and pestilence and
the sword, until they are utterly consumed from this land
which I gave them.
XXX. XVIL THE word which came from the Lord to Jere^
mias, to wit.
2 Thus spake the Lord the God of Israel, saying. Write all
3 the words which I have delivered to thee in a book : for be-
hold the days are coming saith the Lord when I will bring
back the captivity of my people Israel and Juda, said the Lord;
and I will bring them to this land, which I gave to their fa-
thers and they shall rule over it.
4 Now these are the words which the Lord spake concem-
5 ing Israel and Juda. Thus said the Lord, You shall hear the
6 sound of terror. It is terror and not peace. Inquire and see !
Hath a male ever brought forth? Now with respect to the ter-
ror, in which they will hold their loins, it is indeed for a de-
liverance.
(p) Why then have I seen every man with his hands on
his loins? Their faces are turned to paleness.
7 (J) It is because that great day is come which is unparal-
leled. It is indeed a distressful time to Jacob, but by this he
8 shall be saved. In that day, saith the Lord, I will break the
VOL, III, c c
Ch. XXXI. JEREMIAS.
yoke from their neck, and burst tlieir bonds asunder; and they
9 shall no more work for strangers. But they must work for the
Lord their God and I will raise up for them David their king.
12 Thus said the Lord, I raised up affliction ; thy wound was
13 grievous ; there is none to plead thy cause ; the attempts to
14 cure thee increased thy pain ; there is no relief for thee ; all
thy friends forgot thee ; they would make no inquiry for thee;
because I inflicted on thee the wound of an enemy, a severe
chastisement for all thine iniquity ; thy sins had multiplied :
16 therefore all that devour thee shall be devoured, and all thine
enemies shall eat their own flesh. For the multitude of thine
iniquities (thy sins indeed were multiplied) they have done all
these things to thee; but they who plunder thee shall be for
plunder; and all who have preyed upon thee, I Avill give for a
17 prey. Because I will bring up the cure for thee I will cure
thee, saith the Lord, of thy painful wound; because thou wast
called the Outcast, the hunt is up after thee ; because there is
18 none whoseeketh this outcast, thus saith the Lord, Behold I
myself will bring back the outcast of Jacob, and his captivity
I will compassionate. And the city shall be rebuilt on its height;
19 and the people shall sit for the administration of justice. And
from them shall come forth suigers — the sound of the sportive;
20 and I will multiply them and they shall not be diminished. And
their sons shall come in as in former times; and their judicato-
ries shall be established in my presence. And I will punish them
21 who afflict them. His own mighties shall preside over them;
and from him his own chief shall come forth; and he will ga-
ther them that they may return to me — that he who hath given
his heart, whoever he is, may return to me, saith the Lord. Be-
23 cause the anger of the Lord hath gone forth — hath gone forth
a furious anger, it will come whirling on the wicked — the fiei-ce
XXXI. anger of the Lord will not turn back, till he hath done — till
he hath executed the purpose of his heart. In the latter days you
will know these things.
1 At that time, said the Lord, I will be the God of the ilimi-
ly of Israel and they shall be my people.
2 Thus said the Lord, I found him warm in the wilderness
among them who had perished by the sword. Go : you shall
3 not destroy Israel. The Lord from afar hath appeared for him:
Ch. XXXI. JEREMIAS.
with everlasting love I have loved thee; therefore I have drawn
4 thee into compassion. For I will rebuild thee, and thou shalt
be rebuilt. Ο virgin of Israel, again thou shalt take thy tim-
brel, and go forth with a congregation of rejoicers. As you have
6 planted vineyards on the mountains of Samaria, plant and
sing praises; for there shall be a day of invitation to them
who make apologies on the mountains of Ephraim, " Arise
7 ajul go up to S'lon to the Lord your GocV For thus said
the Lord to Jacob, Rejoice and shout at the head of na-
tions ; issue proclamations and sing praises; say, " The Lord
8 hath saved his people, the remnant of Israel." Behold I Avill
bring them from the north and gather them from the extremi-
ty of the earth. At the festival of Phasek he shall have a multi-
9 tude of children Avho shall return hither. They set out with
weeping; but I will bring them up with consolation, causing
them to rest at fountains of water in a straight road; and in it
they shall not be led astray, for I am become a father to Israel,
10 and Ephraim is my first born. Hear the words of the Lord, ye
nations! and proclaim them to the far distant isles. Say, He,
who scattered Israel, Avill gather them, and guard them as a
11 shepherd doth his flock. Because the Lord hath redeemed Ja-
cob — hath rescued him out of the hand of them who were
12 stronger than he ; therefore they shall come and rejoice on
mount Sion. They shall indeed come to the good things of the
Lord — to a land of corn and wine, and of fruits and herds and
flocks; and their soul shall be like a fruitful tree; and they shall
13 no more be hungry. Then shall virgins rejoice in the assembly
of youths; the elders also shall be filled with joy; for I will turn
14 their mourning into joy and make them glad. I will enlarge
and satisfy the soul of the priests the sons of Levi. And mv
people shall be regaled with my good things.
1 5 Thus said the Lord, There was heard at Rama a sound of
lamentation and weeping and wailing — Rachel, weeping for her
children, refused to be comforted, because they are no more.
16 Thus saith the Lord, Let thy voice refrain from lamenta-
tion and thine eyes from tears. For there is a reward for thy
17 works and they shall return from the enemies' land. It is firm-
18 ly established for thy children. I have heard the voice of
Ephraim moaning, " Thou hast chastised me and I have been
Ch. XXXI. JEREMIAS.
chastised. I like a bullock was uninstructed, bring me back
19 that I may return; for thou art the Lord my God. For after my
captivity I reformed and after I gained knowledge I groaned
for my days of shame and shewed thee that I was ashamed of
20 my youth." Ephraim is a beloved son — my darling child ;
since my words are in him I will surely remember him. For
this cause I have been anxious for him, I will surely have
mercy upon him, saith the Lord. Establish thyself, Ο Sion;
take revenge — rouse up thy courage. By the way thou went-
est return, Ο virgin of Israel — return to thy cities, Ο mourn-
22 er. How long shall it be, ere thou wilt return, Ο despised
daughter ! Since the Lord hath created safety for a new plan-
tation, with safety men may walk about. For thus saith the
23 Lord, Again they shall use this form of words in the land of
Juda and in liis cities when I have brought back his captivity,
24 "Blessed be the Lord on his righteous, his holy mountain." It
shall be used by them who dwell in the cities of Juda and in all
his land, and shall be repeated by the husbandman and among
25 the flocks. For I have satisfied with drink every thirsty soul;
and every soul that was hungry I have filled.
26 (p) Upon this I awoke and beheld and my sleep was sweet
to me.
27 Therefore behold the days are coming, saith the Lord,
when I will sow Israel and Juda Avith the seed of man and the
28 seed of beast. And it shall be, that as I watched over them to
pull down and waste, so I will watch over them to build up
29 and plant, saith the Lord. In those days they shall no more say,
"Our fathers ate a sour grape and the childrens' teeth are set on
30 edge." But every one shall die for his own sin. And whoever
3 1 eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Behold the
days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will make a new co-
32 venant with the house of Israel and the house of Juda. Not ac-
cording to the covenant which I made with their fathers on the
day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the
land of Egypt. Because they did not abide by this covenant of
33 mine, therefore I took no care of them. For this, saith the
Lord, is my covenant which I will make with the house of
Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will adapt my laws,
to their understanding and write them on their hearts, and I
Ch. XXVU. JEREMIAS.
34 will be their God and thc}^ shall be my people. And they shall
no more teach every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all will know me from the
greatest to the least of them: for I will be merciful to their
iniquities and no more remember their sins.
37 Though the heaven is exalted very high, saith the Lord,
and the surface of the earth is depressed far below, yet I will
not reject the race of Israel, saith the Lord, for all that they
35 have done. Thus said the Lord who hath given the sun to en-
lighten the day and the moon and stars to enlighten the night,
and hath caused the sea to roar and its billows to resound, the
36 Lord Almighty is his name; If these laws cease to operate
in my presence, saith the Lord, then may the race of Israel
cease from being a nation before me forever.
38 Behold days are coming, saith the Lord, when a city shall
be built to the Lord from the tower of Anamecl to the gate of
39 the comer; and the diameter thereof shall extend forward as
far as the hills of Gareb: and it shall be enclosed around with
40 choice stones; and all the Asaremoth as far as Nachal Kedron,
even to the corner of the horse gate eastward shall be dedicated
to the Lord, and it shall no more fail nor shall it be demolish-
ed until the age.
XXVII. XVIII. 2 THUS said the Lord, Make thee
chains and yokes and put them about thy neck; and thou shall
send them to the king of Idumea and to the king of Moab and
to the king of the Ammonites and to the king of Tyre and to
the king of Sidon by the hands of their ambassadors, who are
4 coming to meet those sent to Jerusalem to Sedekias king of
Juda: and thou shalt charge them to say to their masters.
Thus said the Lord, the God of Israel, Thus shall you say
5 to your masters, As I have made the earth by my great power
and by my outstretched arm, I can give it to whom it seem-
6 eth good in mine eyes. I have given this land to Nabuchodo-
nosar king of Babylon to serve him, and the beasts of the field
8 to work for him. And the nation and the kingdom — all who
will not submit their neck to the yoke of the king of Babylon,
them I will visit with sword and famine, said the Lord, until
9 they are consumed by his hand. Therefore hearken not to your
Ch. XXVIII. JEREMIAS.
false prophets, nor to them who divine or dream for you, noi-
10 to your augurers, nor your sorcerers Λvho say, You shall not
serve the king of Babylon; for they prophesy lies to you to re-
1 1 move you far from your land. But the nation which shall sub-
mit its neck to the yoke of the king of Babylon and work for
him, that nation I will leave in its own land. It laboureth for
him and it shall dwell therein.
12 So I spoke to Sedekias king of Juda according to all these
words, saying, Submit your neck to work for the king of Ba-
15 by Ion. For these men prophesy falsehoods to you; for I have
not sent them, saith the Lord. They indeed prophesy in my
name for falsehood to destroy you; therefore you shall be de-
stroyed, both you and your prophets who prophesy to you for
16 unjust falsehood. To you and to all this people and to the
priests I have spoken, saying. Thus said the Lord, Hearken
not to the words of those prophets who prophesy to you say-
ing, "Behold the vessels of the house of the Lord shall be
17 brought back from Babylon." For they prophesy falsities to
18 you. I have not sent them. If they are prophets; if the word of
the Lord is in them, let them meet me. For thus saith the
Lord, Even the residue of the vessels which the king of Baby-
lon did not take when he carried away Jechonias from Jerusa-
lem, shall go to Babylon, saith the Lord.
XXVIII. Again it came to pass in the fourth year of Sedeki-
as king of Juda, in the fifth month, that Ananias son of Azor,
the false prophet from Gabaon spoke to me in the house of the
2 Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people,
saying, Thus said the Lord, I have broken the yoke of the
3 king of Babylon — yet two years of days and I will bring back
to this place the vessels of the house of the Lord, and Jecho-
4 nias and the captives of Juda; for I have broken the yoke of
5 the king of Babylon. Thereupon Jeremias said to Ananias in
the presence of all the people and in the presence of the priests
6 who were standing in the house of the Lord, "May the Lord
indeed do so, said Jeremias; may he establish the word which
thou hast spoken, by bringing back the vessels of the house of
7 the Lord and all the captives from Babylon to this place. Ne-
vertheless hear ye the word of the Lord, which I speak in your .
8 hearing and in the hearing of all the people. There have been
Ch. XXIX. JEREMIAS.
prophets of old before me, and before you, who have prophesied
9 of war against many a land and against great kingdoms. As for
the prophet who hath prophesied peace; when his word Com-
eth to pass let the people acknowledge him as a prophet whom
10 the Lord hath indeed sent to them." Then in the presence of
all the people, Ananias took tlie yokes from the neck of Jere-
1 1 mias and broke them. And Ananias spoke before all the peo-
ple, saying, "Thus said the Lord, So will I break the yoke of
the king of Babylon from the necks of all the nations." So Je-
remias went his way.
12 And there came a Word of the Lord to Jeremias, after Ana-
nias had broken the yokes from his neck, saying, "Go and
13 speak to Ananias and say, Thus said the Lord, Thou hast bro-
ken wooden yokes; but instead of them I will make yokes of
14 iron. For thus said the Lord, I have put an iron yoke on the
neck of all tlie nations, that they may work for the king of Ba-
15 by Ion." Then Jeremias said to Ananias, the Lord hath not sent
16 thee; and thou hast made this people trust in a lie. For this
cause thus saith the Lord, "Behold I send thee from the face
17 of the earth. This very year thou shaltdie." So he died in the
seventh month. ,
XXIX. Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremias
sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the captivity and to the
priests and to the false prophets. — After the departure of king
Jechonias and of the queen and the chamberlains and of every
2 nobleman and prisoner of war and artificer from Jerusalem [I
sent] to Babylon by the hand of Eleasan son of Saphan and of
3 Gamarias son of Chelkias whom Sedekias king of Juda sent
to the king of Babylon at Babylon, a letter for the captives ad-
5 dressed to all the people saying, Thus said the Lord the God of
Israel to the captivity whom I have exiled from Jerusalem,
"Build houses and dwell therein; and plant orchards and eat the
6 fruits thereof; and take wives and beget sons and daughters;
take wives also for your sons and give your daughters in mar-
riage; and multiply and be not diminished; and study the peace
of the country to which I have exiled you; and pray to the
8 Lord for the people; for in their peace you will have peace.
For thus said the Lord, Let not the false prophets among
you deceive you; nor let your diviners deceive you; nor
Ch. XXIX. JEREMIAS.
10 hearken to your dreams which you dream. For they pro-
phesy falsehood to you in my name, and I have not sent them.
For thus said the Lord, When seventy years shall be accom-
plished at Babylon, I will visit you and establish my words for
11 you by bringing back your people to this place. When I plan
12 a purpose of peace and not evils against you, to grant you this,
13 then pray to me and I will hearken to you: then seek me dili-
14 gently and you shall find me. Because you will seek me with
your whole heart, therefore I will manifest myself to you."
15 Because you said. The Lord hath raised up prophets for
21 us in Babylon, thus said the Lord against Achiaband against
• Sedekias, behold I deliver them into the hands of the king of
22 Babylon and he will smite them before your eyes. And among
all the captives of Juda at Babylon ; they shall from them use
an execration saying, " The Lord deal with thee as he did
with Sedekias, and as he did with Achiab whom the king of Ba-
23 bylon roasted with fire," because they have committed iniquity
in Israel and have committed adultery with the wives of their
fellow citizens, and have delivered as prophets a word in my
name, which I did not give them in charge. I myself am witness
24 saith the Lord. And to Samaias the Ailamite thou shalt say, I
25 did not send thee : yet in my name he said to Sophonias son of
26 Maasias, the priest, " The Lord hath made thee priest in the
room of Jodae the priest, to be a ruler in the house of the
Lord, over every man who prophesieth, and over every man
who divineth, that thou mayst commit him to prison, and
27 confine him in a dungeon." Now why have you reviled Je-
28 remias of Anathoth who prophesied to you ? Was it not for
this purpose that information was given that within this month
he had sent to you to Babylon, saying. Your return is far off;
build houses and dwell therein ; plant orchards and eat the
29 fruits thereof. When Sophonias read this letter in the hearing of
30 Jeremias, a word of the Lord came to Jeremias saying. Send
31 to the captives, and say. Thus said the Lord, against Sama-
ias the Ailamite, Because Samaias hath prophesied to you,
and I did not send him, and he hath made you trust in false-
hoods, therefore thus said the Lord, Behold 1 will punish
Samaias and his family, and there shall not be a man of them
Ch. XXI. XXXIV. JEREMIAS.
among you to see the good things which I will do for you.
They shall not see them.
XXI. XIX. THE word which came from the Lord to Je-
remias when king Sedekias sent to him Paschor son of Mel-
2 chias, and Sophonias son of Basaias the priest saying, Inquire
of the Lord concerning us for the king of Babylon is come
against us. Will the Lord do according to all his wonderous
3 works that he may depart from us. Thereupon Jeremias said
to them, Thus shall you say to Sedekias king of Juda, Thus
4 saith the Lord, Behold I turn back the weapons of war with
which you fight against the Chaldeans who have besieged you
5 without the wall. And I will bring them into this city. I
myself indeed will fight against you with an outstretched hand
6 and a strong arm, with wrath and with great indignation. And
I will smite all the inhabitants of this city, both men and beasts
7 with a great pestilence, and they shall die. And after that, saith
the Lord, I will deliver Sedekias king of Juda and his servants
and the people left in this city from the pestilence and from the
famine and from the sword, into the hands of their enemies
who seek their lives, and they shall smite them with the edge
of the sword. I will not spare them, nor will I have compas-
8 sion on them.. And to this people thou shalt say. Thus saith the
Lord, Behold I have set before you the way of life and the way
9 of deatli. He who abideth in this city, shall die by the sword
and famine, but he who goeth out to the Chaldeans who have
besieged you, he shall live. His life shall be given him for a
10 spoil and he shall live. For I have set my face against this
city for evils and not for good. It shall be delivered into the
1 1 hands of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.
12 With respect to the house of the king of Juda, hear a word
of the Lord, Ο house of David. Thus saith the Lord, Admi-
nister judgment in the morning and relieve and deliver the spoil-
ed out of the hand of him who wrongeth him, that my wrath
may not be kindled like a fire and blaze so that none can
quench it.
XXXIV. XX. THE Λvord which came to Jeremias from
the Lord, when Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon, with all his
VOL. III. J) d
Ch. XXXIV. JEREMIAS.
army and every country under his dominion were warring
against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Juda, saying,
2 Thus said the Lord, Go to Sedekias king of Juda and say
to him, Thus said the Lord, This city shall assuredly be de-
livered into the hands of the king of Babylon ; and he shall
3 take it, and burn it Avith fire. And thou shalt not escape out
of his hand. Thou shalt indeed be taken and delivered into
his hands ; and thine eyes shall see his eyes ; and to Babylon
thou shalt go.
4 Nevertheless hear the word of the Lord, Ο Sedekias king
5 of Juda, Thus said the Lord, Thou shalt die in peace ; and
as they bewailed thy fathers who reigned before thee so will
they bewail thee with "Alas Lord" and utter a lamentation
for thee at thy burial ; for I have spoken the word said the
Lord.
G So Jeremias delivered to king Sedekias all these words
7 at Jerusalem when the army of the king of Babylon was war-
ring against Jerusalem and against the cities of Juda namely
against Lachis and against Azeka ; for they were the onl\'
fortified cities which were left of the cities of Juda.
8 XXL The ivord which came to Jeremias from the Lord.
After king Sedekias had made a covenant with the people
9 to proclaim a release, that every man should set free his man
servant and his maid servant of Hebrew extraction so that no
10 person of Juda should continue in slavery; when all the nobles
and all the people who had entered into covenant, to set free
11 every one his man servant, and his maid servant, altered
12 their minds and compelled them to become their servants ;
13 thereupon a word of the Lord came to Jeremias saying. Thus
said the Lord, I made a covenant with your fathers, at the
time I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the
14 house of bondage, saying, When six years are accomplished
thou shalt set at liberty thy brother, a Hebrew, who shall be
sold to thee. When he hath worked for thee six years, thou
shalt let him go free. But they have not hearkened to me,
15 nor inclined their ear. And now when they turned to do what
is right in my sight, by proclaiming a general release, every
one to his neighbour ; and had made a covenant in my pre.
CIi. XXXVII. JEREMIAS.
16 sence in the house which is called by my name; you have
turned back and profaned my name, by causing every one his
man servant, and every one his maid servant whom you had
sent away free at their own disposal, to return and become your
17 servants: therefore thus said the Lord, You have not hearkened
to me to proclaim a general release, every one to his neighbour ;
behold, I proclaim a dismission of you to the sword, and to pes-
tilence and to famine; and I will deliver you up to dispersion in
18 all the kingdoms of the earth. I will indeed give up the men
who have transgressed my covenant — them, who liave not
stood to this covenant of mine which they entered into in my
19 presence — as the labouring bullock which they sacrificed I will
deliver up the chiefs of Juda and the rulers, and the priests,
20 and the people themselves to their enemies : and their car,-
casses shall be meat for the birds of the air and the beasts of
21 the earth: and I will deliver Sedekias king of Judea, and
their chiefs, into the hands of their enemies. And as for the
army of the king of Babylon, even to them who are retreating,
22 behold I am about to issue orders, saith the Lord, and I will
cause them to return to this city. And they shall fight against
it, and take it and burn it with fire. And I will make the cities
of Juda a desolation, without inhabitants.
XXXVII. XXII. When Sedekias son of Josias, whom Nabu-
chodonosar had made king over Juda, reigned in the room of
2 Joakim, and neither he nor his servants nor the people of the
land hearkened to the words which the Lord spoke by the mi-
3 nistry of Jeremias and king Sedekias : sent Joachel son of Sele-
mias and Sophonias son of Maasias the priest to Jeremias say-
4 ing. Pray now to the Lord for us. (Now Jeremias went out and
came in through the midst of the city and they had not com-
mitted him to prison, and the army of Phai'ao had come out of
5 Egypt, and the Chaldeans had heard the news of them when
they came up against Jerusalem.) Then a word of the Lord
6 came to Jeremias, saying. Thus said the Lord, Thus shalt
7 thou say to the king of Juda who hath sent to thee to inquire
of me. Behold the army of Pharao v/hich is coming to your
assistance shall turn back to the land of Egypt, and the Chalde-
Ch. XXXII. JEREMIAS.
ans shall return and fight against this city and take it and bum
9 it with fire. For thus said the Lord, Flatter not yourselves,
saying, "The Chaldeans are retreating; they will depart from
10 us." For they shall not depart. Nay, though you should smite
all the army of the Chaldeans who are warring against you
and only some Λvounded men should be left, every one in his
place; these shall rise up and burn this city with fire.
11 Now when the army of the Chaldeans left Jerusalem, on
12 account of the army of Pharao, Jeremias was going out of Je-
rusalem among the people with a design to go to the land of
13 Benjamin, to make thence some purchase; but when he was at
the gate of Benjamin, a man there at whose house he stopped
namely Sarouia son of Selemias, son of Ananias, took hold of
14 Jeremias, saying, Thou art fleeing to the Chaldeans. To which
he replied, It is false. I am not fleeing to the Chaldeans. But
Sarouia hearkened not to him, but took hold of Jeremias and
15 brought him to the chiefs. And the chiefs were enraged at Jere-
mias and smote him and committed him to the house of Jona-
16 than the scribe; for they had made that a prison. And when
Jeremias had gone into the lowest apartment, even into the
Chereth, and had been there many days, Sedekias sent for
17 him. And the king asked him privately to tell him whether
there was a message from the Lord. And Jeremias said. There
is. Thou shalt be delivered into the hands of the king of Ba-
18 bylon. Then Jeremias said to the king. Wherein have I offend-
ed thee and thy servants and this people, that thou hast com-
19 mitted me to prison? Where now are your prophets who pro-
phesied to you saying, "The king of Babylon shall not come
20 against this land?" Now therefore, my Lord the king, let me
find favour in thy sight. Why art thou sending me back to the
21 house of Jonathan the scribe? Must I not die there? Thereupon
the king gave orders and they committed him to the guard
house and gave him a loaf of bread a day from the bake house
until all the bread in the city was spent. So Jeremias remained
in the court of the prison.
XXXII. XXIII. THE word which came from the Lord to Jere-
mias in the tenth year of king Sedekias; this was the eighteenth
year of the reign of Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon. When
Ch. XXXII. JEREMIAS.
the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and
Jeremias was confined in the court of the prison which is in
3 the king's house, to which king Sedekias had confined him,
saying, "Why dost thou prophesy and say, thus said the
Lord, Behold I deliver this city into the hands of the king of
4 Babylon and he shall take it; and Sedekias shall not escape out
of the hands of the Chaldeans, for he shall assuredly be deliver-
ed into the hands of the king of Babylon who shall speak to
him mouth to mouth and his eyes shall see his eyes: and Sede-
6 kias shall go to Babylon." Now when he was there, the word of
7 the Lord came to Jeremias, saying. Behold Anameel son of Sa-
lom thy father's brother is coming to thee and will say, Buy
thee my field which is at Anathoth, for the right of purchase is
in thee.
8 Accordingly Anameel son of Salom my father's brother
came to me in the court of the prison and said, Buy thee my
field which is in the land of Benjamin, that at Anathoth, for
the right of purchase is in thee as thou art the eldest. Upon
9 this I knew that it was a word of the Lord, so I bought the
field of Anameel, my father's brother's son and paid him se-
10 venteen shekels of silver. And when I had signed the writing
and sealed it and had it witnessed and had paid the money by
1 1 weight, I took the deed of possession which was sealed and
gave it to Baruch, son of Nerias son of Maasias in the presence
12 of Anameel my father's brother's son, and in the presence of
the byestanders who had signed the deed of purchase, and in
the presence of the Jews who were in the court of the prison;
13 and m their presence I gave a charge to Baruch, saying. Thus
14 said the Lord Almighty, Take this deed of possession, even
this deed which hath been read, and put it in an earthen vessel
15 that it may remain there many days. For thus said the Lord,
Fields and houses and vineyards shall again be possessed in
16 this land. And after I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch
son of Nerias, I prayed to the Lord, saying,
17 Ο self-existent Lord, Thou hast made the heaven and the
earth by thy great power and by thy high and exalted arm.
18 From thee nothing can be hid. Thou shewest mercy to thou-
sands and retributest the sins of fathers into the bosoms of their
19 children after them. Thou art the God, the Great, the Mighty
eh. XXXIl. JEREMIAS.
One, the Lord of great counsel, and mighty in works, the
Mighty Omnipotent God, and the Lord of great renown. Thine
eyes are on the ways of the children of men to give to every
20 one according to his way. Thou hast done signs and wonders
in the land of Egypt which continue even to this day; and in
Israel and among the inhabitants of the earth; and hast made
21 thyself a name as at this day. Thou didst bring thy people Is-
rael out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders and with
a strong hand and an outstretched arm and with stupendous
22 visions, and gavest them this land which with an oath thou
hadst promised to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and
23 honey. But when they entered in and had taken possession
of it, they hearkened not to thy voice nor walked in thy sta-
tutes. They did not do all that thou commandedst them, so they
24 have brought upon themselves all these evils. Behold a mul-
titude is come up against this city to take it; and this city is
about to be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans who are
fighting against it, by reason of the sword and famine. As thou
25 hast spoken, so it hath come to pass. Now thou sayest to me,
Buy thee afield for money. Accordingly I have signed the deed
of purchase and sealed it and had it witnessed; though the
city is about to be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.
26 Then a word of the Lord came to me saying, I the Lord
27 am the God of all flesh. From me nothing can be hid. Therc-
28 fore thus said the Lord the God of Israel, This city will assur-
edly be given up into the hands of the king of Babylon, and
29 he will take it. And the Chaldeans who are fighting against
this city will come and burn this city with fire; and they will
burn those houses on the tops of which they have ofiered in-
cense to Baal and poured out libations to strange gods, to pro-
30 voke me. Because the children of Israel and the children of
Juda have done nothing but evil before mine eyes from their
31 youth — because this very city hath been an object of my wrath
and of my resentment from the day it was built to this day; let
32 him remove it from my presence on account of all the iniqui-
tiesof the children of Israel and Juda, which theyand their kings
and their chiefs and their priests and their prophets, the men of
Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have done to provoke
33 me. For they have turned to me their back and not their face.
Ch. XXXIII. JEREMIAS.
Though I taught them betimes, they would no more receive
34 instruction, but have set up their abominations in the house
which is called by my name, and polluted it with their impuri-
35 ties; and have built up the altars to Baal which were in the val-
ley of the son of Ennom to offer up their sons and their daugh-
ters to king Moloch — a thing which I never commanded them,
nor did it ever come into my mind that they should commit
such an abomination to cause Juda to transgress heinously.
36 But now thus said the Lord the God of Israel respecting
this city, which as thou sayest shall be delivered into the hands
37 of the king of Babylon by sword and by famine and by pesti-
lence; behold I will gather them from every land through
which I have in my wrath and in my great indignation dispers-
ed them: and I will bring them back to this place and cause
38 them to live securely. And they shall be my people and I will
39 be their God. And I will give them another way and another
heart that I may be always feared and may be for good to
40 them and their children after them. And I will make an ever-
lasting covenant with them, which I will not turn away from
them; and I will put my fear in their heart, that they may not
41 apostatise from me; and I will watch over them to do them
good, and plant them in this land with faithfulness even with
42 my whole heart and soul. For thus said the Lord, as I have
brought upon this people all these great evils, so I will bring
43 upon them all these good things, which I have spoken concern-
ing them. And fields shall again be purchased in this land
which as thou sayest shall be untrodden by men and beasts
44 when they are delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. And
they shall purchase fields for money. And thou shalt subscribe
deeds and seal them and cause them to be witnessed in the
land of Benjamin and around Jerusalem and in the cities of
Juda and in the cities of the mountain and in the cities of Se-
phela and in the cities of Nageb; for I will bring back the;r
captivities.
XXXIII. XXIV. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to Je-
remias a second time while he was still a prisoner in the court
2 of the prison, saying. Thus saith the Lord, the maker of the
3 earth, who formed it that he might regulate it. His name is
Ch. XXXIIl. JEREMIAS.
the Lord; Cry to me and I will answer thee and shew thee
4 great and marvellous things which thou hast not known. For
thus said the Lord concerning the houses of this city; and
concerning the houses of the king of Juda which have been
5 pulled down to make mounts and ramparts to fight against the
Chaldeans and to fill the city with the carcasses of men whom
I have slain in mine indignation and in my wrath; and from
whom I have turned away my face for all their wicked deeds;
6 behold I am raising up for it a cure for wounds and a restora-
tive, which I will shew them, and I will heal it and give it peace
7 and fidelity. And I will bring back the captivity of Juda and
the captivity of Israel; and I will build them up as in former
8 times. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquities which
they have committed against me, and no more remember the
sins which they sinned against me, when they apostatised
9 from me. And it shall be for a joy and praise and for a sub-
ject of exultation to all the people of the earth who shall hear
all the good things which I will do. And they will be struck
with awe and remorse for all the good and for all the peace
which I will procure for them.
10 Thus said the Lord, In the place which you say is a desert
without men and beasts — in the cities of Juda and in the streets
of Jerusalem which have been desolate so as to have neither
man nor beast, there shall be heard again the sound of joy
and the sound of mirth; the voice of the bridegroom and the
voice of the bride; the voice of people, saying, " Praise
the Lord Almighty; for the Lord is gracious; for his mercy
11 endureth forever." And they shall bring gifts to the house of
the Lord. For I will bring back all the captivity of this land,
as in former times, saith the Lord.
12 Thus saith the Lord of hosts. There shall be again in this
very place which shall be desolate, without man or beast, in
13 all the cities belonging to it lodging places for shepherds fold-
ing flocks. In the cities of the hilly country and in the cities of
Sephela, and in the cities of Nageb and in the land of Benja-
min and in those around Jerusalem and in the cities of Juda,
flocks shall again pass under the hand of him that counteth
them, said the Lord.
Ch. XXXVIII. JEREMIAS.
XXXVIII. XXV. WHEN Saphanias son of Nathan and Go-
dolias son of Paschor and Joachal son of Semelias, heard the
words which Jeremias spoke concerning the people saying,
2 " Thus said the Lord, He who abideth in this city shall die by
the sword and the famine; but he who goeth out to the Chal-
3 deans shall live. He shall have his life for a spoil. He shall live.
For thus said the Lord, This city shall certainly be delivered
4 into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon and he shall
take it," they said to the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be
put out of the way; for he weakeneth the hands of the warriors
who are left in the city and the hands of all the people by
making such speeches to them. For this man prophesieth not
5 peace to the people, but only evils. And the king said. Be-
hold he is in your hands. For the king could not Λvithstand
6 them. So they threw him into the dungeon of Melchias the
king's son which was in the court of the prison. And when
they had lowered him down into the dungeon, there was
no water in the dungeon, but there was mire; and he
7 was in the mire. But Avhen Abdemelech, the Ethiopian,
who was in the king's family, heard that they had put Jere-
8 mias in the dungeon, as the king was at the gate of Benja-
9 min, he went out to him and spoke to the king, and said, Thou
hast done wrong in ordering this man to be put to death out
10 of the way of the famine, for there is no bread in the city.
Thereupon the king gave orders to Abdemelech, saying,
Take hence with thee thirty men and draw him up out of the
11 dungeon, that he may not die. So Abdemelech took the men
and went to the king's house, into the cellar, and took thence
old rags and old ropes and threw them down to Jeremias into
12 the dungeon, and said, Put those under the ropes. And when
Jeremias had done so, they drew him up with the ropes out of
13 the dungeon. And Jeremias abode in the court of the prison.
14 And the king sent and ordered him to come to him to the house
Aseleisel which is in the house of the Lord. And the king said
to him, I will ask thee a word and thou must not conceal any thing
15 from me. And Jeremias said to the king. If I tell thee, wilt thou
not put me to death? And if I give thee counsel, perhaps thou wilt
16 not hearken to me. Then the king swore to him, saying. As
the Lord liveth who made us this soul, I will not nut thee to
VOL. III. EC
Ch. XXXIX. JEREMIAS.
17 death, nor will I deliver thee into the hands of those men. And
Jeremias said, Thus said the Lord, If thou wilt go out to the
generals of the king of Babylon, thy soul shall live and this
city will not be burned with fire. Both thou and thy family
18 shall live. But if thou wilt not go out, this city will be deliver-
ed into the hands of the Chaldeans and they will burn it with
19 fire; and thou shalt not escape. And the king said to Jeremias,
I am afraid of the Jews who have fled to the Chaldeans, lest
upon being delivered int© their hand they make me a mock-
20 ing stock. And Jeremias replied. Thou wilt not be delivered
up to them, Hear the word of the Lord which I speak to thee
21 and it will be better for thee and thy soul shall live. But if thou
wilt not go out, this is the word which the Lord hath revealed
to me,
22 " And behold all the women \vho were left in the house of
the king of Juda were brought out to the chiefs of the king of
Babylon. And they said. Thy men of peace deceived thee,
and will prevail over thee. And with a fall they will weaken
23 thy foot. They are gone from thee. And thy wives and thy
children shall be brought out to the Chaldeans. And thou shalt
not escape. For by the hand of the king of Babylon thou shalt
be taken and this city shall be burned."
24 Then the king said to him. Let no man know any of these
25 words, and thou shalt not be put to death. iVnd if the chiefs
hear that I have spoken to thee and come to thee and say. Tell
26 us, What did the king say to thee? Hide it not from us and
we will not put thee to death. What did the king say to thee?
Then thou shalt say to them, I presented my supplication be-
fore the king that he would not send me back to the house
27 of Jonathan to die there. So when all the chiefs came to
Jeremias and questioned him, he answered them according
to all the words which the king commanded and they were si-
28 lent; for the word of the Lord was not heard. So Jeremias re-
mained in the court of the prison until Jerusalem was taken.
XXXIX. Now it came to pass that in the ninth year and ninth
month of Sedekias king of Juda, Nabuchodonosar king of Ba-
2 bylon with all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged
it. And in the eleventh year of Sedekias in the fourth month on
S the ninth dav of the month, a breach was made into the city ;
Ch. XL. JEREMIAS.
and all the generals of the king of Bab)'lon entered and sat in
the middle gate, namely, Marganasar, and Samagoth and Na-
busachar and Nabusaris, Nagargas, Naserrabamath, and the
14 rest of the generals of the king of Babylon; and they sent and
took Jeremias out of the court of the prison and committed
him to Godolias son of Achikam son of Saphan. And when
they brought him out he sat down among the people.
15 Now there had come to Jeremias in the court of the prison
16 a word of the Lord, saying, Go and say to Abdemelech the
Ethiopian, Thus said the Lord the God of Israel, Behold I
17 will bring my words on this city for evils and not for good. But
I will save thee on that day and not deliver thee into the hands
18 of those men of whom thou art afraid. For I will save thee and
thou shalt not fall by the sword. And thou shalt have thy life
for a spoil, because thou hast trusted in me, said the Lord.
XL. XX VL The word which came from the Lord to Jeremias
after Nahumrdan the chief coojc^ he who was of Rama, had
dismissed him.
WHEN the chief cook found him in chains in tlie midst
2 of the captives of Juda who were to be carried to Babylon, he
3 took him and said to him. The Lord thy God hath denounced
all these evils against this place, and the Lord hath done them,
4 because you sinned against him and did not hearken to his
voice. Behold I have loosed thee from the chains which were
on thy hands. If it seemeth good to thee to go with me to Ba-
5 bylon, I will have an eye over thee. But if not, Go thy way.
Return to Godolias son of Achikam son of Saphan whom the
king of Babylon hath set over the land of Juda and dwell with
6 him among the people in tlie land of Juda. Go whithersoever it
seemeth best in thine eyes to go. So the chief cook gave him
gifts and dismissed him; and he went to Godolias to Massepha
7 and dwelt among his people who Avere left in the land. Now
when all the generals of the army in the country, l^oth they and
their men heard that the king of Babylon had set Godolias over
the land, and had committed to him the men and their Λvives
8 whom he had not removed to Babylon, there came to Godolias,
at Massepha, Ismael son of Nathanias and Joanan son of Karae
and Saraius son of Thanaemeth and the sons of Jophe the Ne-
Ch. XLI. JEREMIAS.
9 tophathite and Ezonias son of Mochathi, they and their men;
and Godolias swore to them and their men, saying, Be not
afraid of the Chaldeans : dwell in the land and serve the king
10 of Babylon, and it will be better for you. As for me, behold
I reside before you, at Massepha to meet the Chaldeans who
may come against you. But as for you, collect wine and sum-
mer fruits and oil and lay them up in your vessels and dwell in
11 the cities which you have taken possession of. All the Jews
also who were in Moab and among the Ammonites and those
in Idumea and in all that country, when they heard that the
king of Babylon had left a remnant for Juda and had set Go-
12 dolias son of Achikam over them, came to Godolias into the
land of Juda to Massepha, and collected wine and summer
13 fruits in great abundance, and oil. And Joanan son of Karae
and all the generals of the army who were in the country came
14 to Godolias to Massepha and said to him. Dost thou know that
Beleissa king of the Ammonites hath sent Ismael to thee, to
15 take thy life. But Godolias did not believe them. And when
Joanan said privately to Godolias at Massepha, " Let me, I
pray thee, go and smite Ismael and let none know it; lest he
kill thee; and all Juda who are gathered to thee, be dispersed
16 and the remnant of Juda perish." Godolias said to Joanan,
Thou must not do this : for what thou sayest of Ismael is
false.
XLI. Now it came to pass that in the seventh month Ismael son of
Nathanias son of Eleasa of the royal family and ten chief men with
him came to Godolias at Massepha and they there ate bread toge-
2 ther. And Ismael arose and the ten chiefs who were with him,
3 and smote Godolias whom the king of Babylon had set over
the land, and all the Jews who were with him at Massepha
4 and all the Chaldeans who were found there. And it happened
that on the second day after he had slain Godolias and it was
5 not generally known, there came eighty men from Sychem
and from Salem and from Samaria, with their beards shaven
and their clothes rent and in deep mourning, with manna and
frankincense in their hands, to make an offering for the house
6 of the Lord. And Ismael went out to meet them as they were
proceeding on in their journey weeping, and said to them. Come
7 to Godolias. And when they were come into the midst of the
Ch. XLII. JEREMIAS.
8 city he slew them at the pit. But there were ten men among
them who said to Ismael, Do not kill us; for we have treasures
in a field, wheat and barley, honey and oil. So he forbore and
9 did not kill them among their brethren. Now the pit, into
which Ismael threw all that he had slain, wiis that great pit
10 which king Asa had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel. This
Ismael filled with the slain. And Ismael carried aAvay all the
people who were left at Massepha and the king's daughters
whom the chief cook had committed to the care of Godolias
son of Achikam; and fled towards the borders of the Ammon-
1 1 ites. But when Joanan son of Karae and all the generals of
the army who were with him heard all the evils which Ismael
12 had done, they drew out their whole army and marched with
speed to fight him and came up with him at the great waters
at Gabaon. And when all the people who were with Ismael
13 saw Joanan and the generals of the army who were with him,
15 they turned back to Joanan ; but Ismael escaped with eight
16 men and fled to the children of Ammon. Then Joanan and all
the generals of the army who were with him took all the rem-
] 7 nant of the people whom they had rescued from Ismael — the
men fit for war and the women and children and the eunuchs
whom they brought back from Gabaon and marching with
speed they encamped at Gaberochama which is near Bethle-
hem with an intent to go to Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans.
18 For they were afraid of them because Ismael had slain Godo-
XLII. lias whom the king of Babylon had set over the land. And
all the generals of the army with Joanan and Az arias son of
Maasias and all the people small and great came to Jeremias
2 the prophet and said to him. Have compassion on us, we be-
seech thee and pray to the Lord thy God for this remnant,
3 for we are left only few of many as thine eyes see. Now let
the Lord thy God point out to us the way which wc should
4 go and what we are to do. Whereupon Jeremias said to them,
I have heard. Behold, I will pray for you to the Lord our God
according to your words and whatever answer the Lord our
God shall give that I will declare to you. I will not hide any
5 thing from you. And they said to Jeremias, The Lord be a
true and faithful witness between us, that we will act conform-
ably to the word, whatever it be, which the Lord shall send
Ch. XLIL JEREMIAS.
6 to us. Whether it be agi-eeable or disagreeable we will hearken
to the voice of the Lord our God in respect to that for which
we send thee to him, that it may be the better for us. We will
obey the voice of the Lord our God.
7 So after ten days a word of the Lord came to Jeremias, where-
8 upon he sent for Joanan and the generals of the army, and all
9 the people small and great, and said to them, Thus said the
Lord, " If you will abide in this land I will build you up, and
10 not pull you doAvn ; and I will plant you, and not root you up;
11 for I am appeased by the evils which I have done to you. Be
not afraid of the king of Babylon of whom you are in dread.
Be not afraid of him, saith the Lord, for I am with you to de-
12 liver you, and to save you out of his hands. And I will shew
you mei'cy, and have compassion on you, and bring you back
13 to your own land. But if in direct disobedience to the voice
14 of the Lord you say, "We will not abide in this land ; for we
w^ill go to the land of Egypt, that we may not see war nor
hear the trumpet's sound, nor pine for want of bread; and we
15 will dwell there." Then hear the word of the Lord, Thus said
the Lord, If you set your face for Egypt, and go there to make
16 your abode ; the sword of which you are afraid shall find you
in the land of Egypt ; and the famine which you wish to avoid
shall follow and overtake you in Egypt, and there yoli shall
17 die. For all the men even all the strangers who have set their
faces towards the land of Egypt to dwell there, shall perish
by the sword and by famine, and not one of them shall escape
18 from those evils which I bring upon them. For thus said the
Lord, As my wrath was poured out on the inhabitants of Je-
rusalem, so shall my wrath be poured out upon you, if you go
to Egypt ; and you shall be wasted and made slaves, and be
for an execration and reproach ; and shall never see this land
again. —
1 9 These are the things which the Lord hath spoken respecting
you, the remnant of Juda ; that you may not go to Egypt. —
20 For now you must be sensible that you did evil in your hearts
when you sent me saying. Pray for us to the Lord, and we
Avill act conformably to all that the Lord shall say to thee. —
21 For you have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord, which
U2 he hath sent by me to you. Now therefore you shall perish
Ch. XLIII. JEREMIAS.
by the sword and by famine, in that place to which you arc
determined to go there to make your abode.
XLIII. And when Jeremias had made an end of speaking all
these words of the Lord to the people, even all the words
2 which the Lord had sent him to speak to them, Azarias son
of Maasias and Joanan son of Karae, and all the men who had
spoken to Jeremias, said in reply, It is false. The Lord hath
not sent thee to us, saying. You shall not go to Egypt to dwell
3 there. But Baruch son of Nerias setteth thee on against us,
that thou mayst deliver us into the hands of the Chaldeans to
4 be put to death, or banished to Babylon. So Joanan and all the
generals of the army and all the people hearkened not to the
5 voice of the Lord to dwell in the land of Juda. And Joanan
and all the generals of the army took all the remnant of Juda,
β who had returned to dwell in the land, the men fit for war,
and the women and the children which were left and the king's
daughters, even all the souls which Nabusardan had left with
Godolias son of Achikam, including Jeremias the prophet, and
7 Baruch son of Nerias, and went to Egypt. Because they heark-
8 ened not to the voice of the Lord, therefore when they came to
Taphnas, a word of the Lord came to Jeremias at Taphnas,
9 saying. Take thee large stones and bury them at the entrance
of the gate of Pharao's house at Taphnas, in the presence of
10 the men of Juda and thou shah say, Thus said the Lord, Be-
hold I send and I will bring Nabuchodonosar king of Baby-
lon and he shall place his throne over these stones which thou
11 hast hidden, and pile his arms over them. And when he is
come he will smite the land of Egypt, sentencing to death
them who are for death ; and to banishment such as are for
12 banishment ; and to the sword such as are for the sword. And
he will kindle afire in the houses of their gods, and burn the
houses and carrj^ away the gods captives : and he will search
the land of Egypt, as a shepherd doth his garment, and sliall
13 go thence in peace. And he will break in pieces the pillars
of Heliopolis, even those of On, and bum their houses with
fire. —
Ch. XLIV. JEREMIAS.
XLIV. XXVII. The word -which came to Jeremias for all
the Jews who dwelt in the land of Egypt — for them settled
at MagdoluSy and at Taphnas^ and in the land of Pathoura-,
saying.
2 THUS said the Lord the God of Israel, You have seen all
the evils which I brought upon Jerusalem, and upon the cities
3 of Juda ; and behold they are desolate, without inhabitants
because of their wickedness which they committed to provoke
me, by going to burn incense to strange gods, which you
4 knew not. Though I sent to you my servants the prophets,
rising early and sending them, saying, Do not commit this
5 abominable thing which I hate ; yet they hearkened not to
me, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness so as
6 not to burn incense to strange gods. Therefore my wrath
and mine indignation was poured out and kindled to a flame
in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem, and they
7 became a desolation and a waste, as at this day. Now then,
thus said the Lord Almighty, Why do ye commit great evils
against your souls, to cut off" every man and woman of you,
with the infant and suckling out of Juda, so that none of you
8 may be left — to provoke me with the works of your hands —
by burning incense to strange gods in the land of Egypt,
where you are come to dwell — that you may be cut oflf and
become an execration and a reproach, among all the nations
,9 of the earth ? Have you forgotten the evils of your fathers,
> and the evils of the kings of Juda, and the evils of your chiefs,
and the evils of your wives, Λvhich they committed in the
10 land of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem ? They have not
indeed even to this day desisted, nor have they adhered to the
11 ordinances which I set before their fathers; therefore thus
12 said the Lord, Behold I am setting my face to destroy all
the remnant in Egypt ; and they shall fall by the sword and
by famine and die, both small and great : and they shall be
13 for reproach and for destruction and for a curse. For I will
visit those settled in Egypt as I visited Jerusalem with sword
14 and with famine, so that none of this remnant of Juda who
dwell in Egypt, shall be saved to return to the land of Juda,
to which they earnestly hope to return, save those only who
have made their escape thither.
Ch. XLIV. JEREMIAS.
1 5 Then all the men who knew that their wives burned in-
cense, and all the women, a great congregation, and all the peo-
ple who were settled in the land of Egypt at Pathoura answered
16 Jeremias, saying. In regard to this word which thou hast
17 spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken to
thee; for we will continue to perform every word which shall
proceed from our mouth to burn incense to the queen of heaven
and pour out libations to her ; as we and our fathers and our
kings and our chiefs did in the cities of Juda and in the streets
of Jerusalem; for we had then plenty of bread and were in hap-
py circumstances and saw no evils : but soon as we left off
18 burning incense to the queen of heaven, we all became fewer
19 in number, and were wasted by sword and famine. Now grant
that we have burned incense to the queen of heaven, and pour-
ed out libations to her, ha^'e we without our husbands, made
cakes for her or poured out to her libations ?
20 In reply to this Jeremias said to all the people, to the me^i
in authority, and to the women and all the people who made
him this answer ;
21 Thjs incense which you offered in the cities of Juda and
in the streets of Jerusalem, you and yoiu* fathers, and your
kings and your chiefs, and the people of the land, did not the
22 Lord remember ? Di,d it not come into his mind so that the
Lord could no longer forbear on the account of your evil
doings and on the account of your abominations which you
committed?
So your land was made a desolation and a waste, and for
23 a curse as at this day because of the incense, which you of-
fered, and the sins which you committed against the Lord.
As you hearkened not to the voice of the Lord, nor walkecl
iji his statutes and in his law and in his testimonies ; there-
fore these evils have come upon you.
24 Then Jeremias said to the people, particularly to the wo-
25 men, Hear a word of the Lord ; Thus saith the Lord the God
of Israel, Ye women have spoken with your mouths and with
your hands confirmed it, saying. We will continue to perform
the vows which we made to burn incense to the queen of hea-
ven, and pour out libations to her. You have obstinately ad^
hered to your vows, and have actually performed them.— *
VOt, JIT\ J f
Ch. XLV. XLVI. JEREMIAS.
26 Therefore hear a word of the Lord, all ye of Juda, who are
settled in the land of Egypt ; behold by my great name I have
sworn said the Lord, my name shall no more be mentioned
by the mouth of any Jew in all the land of Egypt, saying, Js
27 the Lord liveth. Because I have watched over them, to afflict
them, and not to do them good, therefore all the Jews who
are dwelling in the land of Egypt, shall perish by sword and
28 by famine, until there be an end of them. They indeed who
have escaped from the sword being few in number, shall re-
turn to the land of Juda ; but the remnant of Juda, who have
staid in the land of Egypt to settle there, shall know whose
29 word shall stand. Now this shall be a sign to you, that I will
30 visit you for evil : thus said the Lord, Behold I deliver up
Onaphre king of Egypt, into the hands of his enemy, and into
the handsof him who seeketh his life, as I delivered Sedekias
king of Juda into the hands of Nabuchodonosar king of Ba-
bylon, his enemy, and who sought his life,
XLV. XXVin. The word which Jeremias the prophet spoke
to Baruch son of JVerias, when he was writing the words in
the book, from the mouth of Jeremias^ in the fourth year of
Joakim son of Josias king of Juda.
2 THUS said the Lord concerning thee Baruch, because
3 thou saidst, "Ah woe is me ! for the Lord hath added grief to
my sorrow: I laid me down with sighing ; no rest did I find."
4 Say to him. Thus said the Lord, Behold ! them whom I built
up, I am pulling down ; them whom I planted, I am rooting
5 up ; and wilt thou seek great things for thyself? Seek them
not. For behold I am about to bring evils on all flesh, saith
the Lord; but I will give thee thy life, for a spoil in every place
whither thou shalt go.
XLVL XXIX. TO EGYPT, respecting the army ofPharao
Nechao, king of Egypt, who was by the river Euphrates,
at Charmis, whom Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon defeated
in the fourth year of Joakim kijig of Juda.
3 ARM . with buckler and shields, and advance to battle.
4 Harness the horses. Horsemen mount ! and stand firm in your
• helmets. Having put on your breast plates, charge with your
Ch. XL\a. JEREMIAS.
5 lances. Why are they daunted, and falling back ? Because
their mighty men will be cut down, they fled amain ; they
6 rallied not, being hemmed in on all sides, saith the Lord. Let
not the swift flee, nor the mighty escape to the north. The
7 forces at the river Euphrates are weak and have fallen. Who
is this that will rush forth like the river, and whose stream
8 will billow like a flood ? The waters of Egypt will rush forth
like a river : for he said, " I will issue forth and overwhelm
9 tlie earth, and destroy the inhabitants thereof. Mount your
horses, prepare your chariots: march forth ye warriors of Ethi-
opia ! and ye Libyans well clad in armour ! go up also ye
Lydians who bend the bow."
10 (p) This is indeed a day for the Lord our God : a day
of vengeance, to execute vengeance on his enemies. And the
sword of the Lord shall devour and be filled ; it shall indeed
be glutted with their blood; for there is a sacrifice for the Lord
1 1 in the land of the north at the river Euphrates. Go up, Ga-
laad, and take balm for the virgin daughter of Egypt. In vain
hast thou multiplied thy medicines; there is no cure for thee.
12 The nations heard thy voice and with thy screams the land
was filled: because warrior added to warrior were weak, they
both fell together.
13 XXX. The words -which the Lord spoke by the mijiistry of
Jeremias, that the king of Babylon would come and smite the
land of Egypt.
14 DESPATCH messengers to Magdolus; send also to Mem-
phis. Say, to arms! and be ready! for a sword hath laid waste
15 thy grove. Why did Apis flee from thee? Thy chosen bull, why
did he not stand? because the Lord made him weak and thy
16 multitude was weak and fell. Therefore every one said to his
fellow. Let us arise and return to our people, to our native land,
17 from the face of the Grecian sword. Call the name of Pharao
Nechao king of Egypt, '''■ Saon-Eshie-Moed,^''
18 As I live, saith the Lord God, like Itaburion among the
mountains, and like Charmel which is by the sea he shall come.
19 Get ready utensils for thy removal, Ο well housed daughter
of Egypt! for Memphis shall be a waste and shall be called,
20 "./ί/βί," because in it tliere are no inhabitants. Egypt was a
Ch. XL VII. XXI. JEREMIAS,
beautiful heifer; a detachment from the north came against
21 her. And the mercenaries, which she had with her, were Hke
fatted bulls which she had fed. For they turned and fled with
one consent: they made no stand, because the day of destruc-
tion came upon them and the time of their visitation. Their
22 sound is that of a hissing serpent; for they march in dust. With
23 axes they will come against her; like fellers of timber they will
cut down her groves, saith the Lord. Because she would not
24 be assimilated. — Because she increaseth more than locusts
which are innumerable; the daughter of Egypt is put to
shame: she is delivered into the hands of a people from the
25 north. Behold I will punish her son Ammon in the per-
son of Pharao, and in the persons of them who trusted in him.
27 But thou Jacob my servant be not afraid; and thou Israel
be not dismayed. For behold I will save thee from afar and
thy seed from their captivity. And Jacob shall return and en-
joy rest and sleep; and there shall be none to discompose him.
28- Fear not, my servant Jacob, saith the Lord, since I am with
thee. This fearless and luxurious one is delivered up, for I
will make an end of every nation to which I have driven thee;
But of thee I will not make an entire end. But I will correct
thee for judgment and not suffer thee to go unpunished.
XLVII. XXXI. Concerning the Philistines^
2 THUS saith the Lord, Behold waters arc coming from the
north, and they shall become an overwhelming flood, and shall
overwhelm the land and the fulness thereof — the cities and them
who dwell therein: and the men shall utter the scream of distress,
3 and all the inhabitants of the land, a doleful cry. At the sound
of his impetuous onset; at the armour of his infantry; at the
rushing of his chariots; the rumbling of his wheels; fathers
looked not back on their children, by reason of the feeble-
ness of their hands.
4 In the day which is coming to destroy all the Philistines I
will destroy also Tyre and Sidon and all the residue of their help.
XXI. 13 Behold I am against thee who inhabitest the vale of
Sor — that plain — them who say, who can terrify us? or who
14 can come into our habitation? And I will kindle a fire in its
forests and it shall devour all things around it.
Ch. XL VIII. JEREMIAS.
XL VII. 4 (p) Because the Lord will utterly destroy the
5 remnants in the isles, baldness is come upon Gaza: Ascalon
is overthrown and the remnant of Enakim.
6 (c) How long wilt thou bew down, Ο sword of the Lord?
How long will it be ere thou wilt rest? Return into thy scab-
bard, rest and be removed.
7 (p) How can it rest when the Lord hath given it a charge
against Ascalon and the cities on the sea coast and to be lifted
up against them whom remain?
XLVIII. XXXII. Respecting Moab,
THUS said the Lord, Alas! for Nabo; for it is destroyed,
2 Kariathaim is taken. Amath and Agath are put to shame. There
is no more a cure for Moab; a boasting in Esebon. He hath de-
vised evils against her. We have cut her off from being a nation
and she shall go to rest. Behind thee the sword shall stalk on.
3 Because there is a sound of screaming from Oronaim — destruc-
4 tion and great tribulation, Moab is trodden down. Despatch
news to Zogora that Aloth is filled with lamentation; she will go
5 up weeping by the way of Oronaim. You have heard the scream
6 of distress; flee and save your lives; and you shall be like a wild
7 ass in the desert. Seeing thou hast trusted in thy fortifications;
therefore thou shalt be taken; and Chamos shall go into banish-
8 ment, and his priests and his chiefs with him; and destruction
shall come on every city, none shall escape. The vale also shall
9 be destroyed and the plain wasted as the Lord hath said. Set up
marks for Moab; for with destruction she shall be destroyed;
10 and all her cities shall be for desolation. Whence can she have
an inhabitant? He is cursed who doth the work of the Lord
negligently, withholding his sword from blood.
1 1 Moab enjoyed rest from his youth and trusted in his glor)^;
he hath not been decanted from vessel to vessel; and into ba-
nishment he hath never gone. Therefore his taste remaineth in
12 him and his flavour is not lost: Therefore behold the days are
coming saith the Lord, when I will send decanters and they
shall decant him; and they shall break his vessels and cut to
13 pieces his drinking horns; and Moab shall be put to shame for
Chamos, as the house of Israel were for Baithel their confi-
14 dence. How can ye who have put confidence in them, say.
Ch. XL VIII. JEREMIAS.
15 "We are strong, and a man mighty for feats of war." Moab
is destroyed with liis cities; and his chosen men are gone down
16 to slaughter. The day of Moab is near at hand, and with speed
17 his calamity is approaching. Shake your heads for him, all ye
around him; pronounce his name, all of you, say, Ηοτυ the
18 beautiful sceptre is broken! the sceptre of majesty! Come
down from glory and sit low in mire. Diabon shall be trampled
down because Moab is destroyed. The demolisher of thy
19 strong hold is come up against thee. Stand by the way side
and take a view, Ο inhabitant of Aroer! ask him who is fleeing
20 and making escape, and say, What is the news? Moab is put
to shame; for- he is utterly discomfited. Raise the mournful
cry and scream; proclaim in Arnon, that Moab is destroyed.
21 Judgment is indeed coming on the land of Misor, upon Cha-
lon, and Rephas, and Mophas, and on Daibon, and on Nabo,
22 and on the house of Daithlathaim, and on Kariathaim, and on
23 the house of Gaimol, and on the house of Maon, and on Kari-
24 oth, and on Bosor, and on all the cities of Moab far and near.
25 The horn of Moab is hacked to pieces, and his prowess is
26 broken. Make him drunk. Because he magnified himself against
the Lord, he will therefore clap with his hand at Moab that
27 he may be an object of derision; for was not Israel an object of
mirth to thee and found among thy stolen goods, because thou
28 didst fight against him? The inhabitants of Moab have left
their cities and made their abode among rocks. They were
like pigeons nestling in rocks at the mouth of a cave.
29 (p) I have heard indeed of the pride of Moab: he was
very proud- — and of his haughtiness; his heart was elated.
30 (J) But as for me I know his works: is not this his de-
3 1 sert? Hath he not acted thus? Therefore raise on all sides the
mournful cry for Moab; scream for the men of Keiradas-auch-
mou.
32 (p) With the wailing of Jazer I will wail for thee, Ο vine
of Ascrema. Thy branches extended to the sea; they reached
to the cities of Jazer. When thy fruit was ripe; destruction
33 came upon thy grape gatherers. Joy and gladness were snatch-
ed from Moab, when the vine was in thy lakes. In the morn-
ing there was no treading, and in the evening no shouts of
34 joy. At the scream of Esebon which reached to Aitam, their
Ch. XLIX. JEREMIA3.
cities from Zogar to Oronaim uttered their voice, and spread
the news with an alarm.
(J) Because the water of Nebrin also shall be dried up;
35 therefore I will destroy Moab, saith the Lord, when he is go-
ing up to the altar and burning incense to his gods.
36 (p) For this let the heart of Moab groan like drone
pipes. Let my heart sound like a drone for the men of Kei-
radas.
(J) Because all that every man had procured is utterly
37 destroyed; let them every where shave the whole head; and
let the whole beard be shaven and all hands gashed; and let
38 there be sackcloth on every loin, and oh all the house tops of
Moab and in every street: for I have broken him, saith the
39 Lord, like a vessel that is useless. How did he deprecate!
How did Moab turn his back! Moab was ashamed and be-
40 came a subject of laughter and derision to all around. For
thus said the Lord, Karioth is taken and the stror^g holds are
41 surprised; and Moab shall be destroyed from being a multi-
42 tude. Because he magnified himself against the Lord, a trap,
43 a scare-net and a pit are prepared for thee, Ο inhabitant of
44 Moab! He who fleeth from the scare-net shall fall into the pit;
and he who getteth up out of the pit shall be caught in the
trap. For I will bring these things on Moab in the year of their
visitation.
XLIX. ΧΧΧΠΙ. Respecting the children of Ammon.
THUS said the Lord, Hath Israel no sons? or have they
no heir? Why then hath Melchol taken possession of Galaad?
Shall his people dwell in their cities? For this cause behold the
2 days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will cause the tumult
of battles against Rabbath to be heard; and they shall be for
desolation and destruction; and her altars shall be consumed
with fire; and Israel shall assume his government.
3 Raise the mournful cry, Ο Esebon, for Gai is destroyed.
Scream, ye daughters of Rabbath; gird on sackcloth and
mourn; for Melchol shall go into banishment and his priests
4 and his chiefs with him. What! are you exulting with joy in
the vales of Enakim? O! daughter of wantonness who trustcst
in thy treasures — who sayest. Who shall come against me?
Ch. XLIX. JEREMIAS.
5 Behold I am bringing terror against thee, said the Lord, from
every neighbour around thee: and you shall be scattered every
one before it ; and there shall be none to collect you.
XXXIV. Respecting Idumea.
7 THUS said the Lord, There is no more any wisdom in
Thaiman. Counsel is perished from the prudent. Wisdom is
fled from them. Their place hath been led into error.
(p) Ο inhabitants of Daidan ! retire to a deep settlement
for he hath brought on calamities.
(J) I brought them on him at the time when I visited him*
9 Because grape gatherers are come, who will not leave thee a
10 gleaning. Like thieves by night they will lay to their hands. Be-
cause I plundered Esau and discovered their hidden stores;
They could not be concealed, they were destroyed.
11 (p) By means of the hand of his brother my neighbour,
there is- indeed no place for thine orphan to be left that it may
live.
(J) But I will cause it to live. In me the widows have
12 trusted. Because they (said the Lord) who had a law not to
drink the cup, drank it; thou therefore shalt not escape un-
13 punished. For by myself I have sworn 6aith the Lord, thou
shalt be a desolation and a reproach and a curse in this coun-
try and all its cities shi^l be perpetual wastes.
14 (p) I have heard a report from the Lord. He hath sent
messengers to the nations, [saying] assemble and come against
her; arise for battle.
15 (J) I have made thee little among the nations, very con-
XQ temptible among men. Thine insolency hath entrapped thee;
the wantonness of thy heart destroyed the holes of rocks. It
took possession of a strong, lofty mountain. Because like an
eagle thou hast built thy nest high ; thence I will pull thee
17 down : and Idumea shall be a desolation. Every passenger
18 shall express for it the sound of pity. As in the overthrow of
Sodom and Gomorra and the neighbouring cities, said the
Lord Almighty, no man shall abide there, nor shall a son of
19 man dwell there. Behold they shall be lilce the lion which
must go up from the swelling of Jotdan to Aitham. Fori wiH
Ch. XLIX. JEREMIAS.
speedily drive them from that place. Therefore set ye chosen
warriors against it.
20 . Because Avho is hke me? Or who can withstand me? And
who is the shepherd who can stand before me? Therefore hear
the counsel of the Lord Avhich he hath taken against Idumea,
and the determination he hath come to against the inhabitants
of Thaiman: Let all but the tenderest of the flock be destroyed;
let all but a resting place for them be made a desolation.
21 (p) At the sound of their fall the earth trembled, so that
22 the roaring of the sea was not heard. Behold he will take a
view like an eagle, and expand his wings against her fortifica-
tions; and the heart of the valiant men of Idumea shall be on
that day like the heart of a woman in travail.
XXXV. Respecting Damascus.
EM ΑΤΗ and Arphath are overwhelmed in shame. Be-
cause they heard bad news they wtre confounded; they boiled
24 with rage; they cannot take rest. Damascus is enervated. She
25 turned to flee : terror seized her. How can it be otherwise?
26 She forsook my city. Did they regard a single village? There-
fore thy young men shall fall in thy streets; and all thy valiant
27 warriors shall fall, saith the Lord, And I will kindle a fire in
the wall of Damascus and it shall consume the palaces of Son
of Ader.
XXXVL Respecting Kedar the queen of the court, which
Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon smote.
THUS said the Lord ; arise and go up against Kedar ; and
29 glut the sons of Kedem. Let them seize their tents and their
flocks : let them take for themselves their clothing, all their
utensils and their camels : and call ye for destruction against
30 all them around. Flee, retire very deep to a settlement, Ο in-
habitants at the court. For against you the king of Babylon
hath taken counsel, and hath come to a determination, saying,
31 " Arise and go up against a wealthy nation dwelling at ease
who have neither gates nor bars nor bolts — who dwell alone.
32 Let their camels be for a prey and the multitude of their
cattle for slaughter." For I will winnow with every wind
them who have their foreheads shaven and from all sides I
VOL•. II. T. G g
Ch. L. JEREMIAS.
33 will bring destruction on them, saith the Lord. And the court
shall be a lodging place for ostriches and a waste forever. No
man shall abide there, nor shall a son of man there make his
dwelling.
XXXVII. /;/ the beginning of the reign of ki?ig Sedekias
came this word concerning Ailam.
THUS saith the Lord, The bow of Ailam is broken, the
36 instrument of his dominion. And I will bring upon Ailam four
winds from the four quarters of heaven and I will scatter them
with these \vinds ; so thi^t there shall not be a nation to which
37 the outcasts of Ailam shall not come. And I will terrify them
before their enemies who seek their lives; and bring against
them according to the fury of my wrath, and send against
38 them my sword, until it utterly consume them. And I will set
my throne in Ailam and drive thence kings and nobles. But it
shall come to pass at the last of these days I Avill bring back
the captivity of Ailam, saith the Lord.
L. XXXVIII. A xvord of the Lord which he spake against
Babylon.
PROCLAIM among the nations, publish and conceal
not — say, Babylon is taken ; Bel is confounded ; the fear-
3 less, the luxurious Mairodach is delivered up. For a nation is
gone up against her from the north, which will make her land
a desolation, so that none shall dwell therein, neither man nor
4 beast. In those days, even at that time, shall come up the chil-
dren of Israel, they and the children of Juda together : walk-
ing slow and weeping they will march on seeking the Lord
5 their God. They will ask the way to Zion; for thitherward
they will set their face; and they will come and flee to the Lord
their God; for the everlasting covenant shall not be forgotten.
6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds caused
them to stray. On the mountains they caused them to wander.
7 From mountain to hill they roamed. They forgot their place
of rest. All that found them devoured them. Their enemies
said, *'Let us not spare them because they sinned against the
8 Lord." He who gathered their fathers hath a pasture of right-
eousness: remove out of Babylon and from the country of thc
9 Chaldeans, and go out and be like dragons before sheep. For
Ch. L. JEREMIAS.
lo ! I am raising up against Babylon assemblies of nations
from the north; and they shall be drawn up in array against
her. Thence one shall be taken like the dart of a skilful \var-
10 rior which shall not rebound in vain. So Chaldea shall be for
11 a prey. All that plunder it shall be satisfied. Because you re-
joiced and triumphed when you were plundering my heritage
— because you frisked about like calves in a pasture, and
12 brandished your horns like bulls; your mother shall be great-
ly ashamed : she \^'^ho brought you forth for prosperity shall
be confounded. Being the hindmost of nations, a desert be-
cause of the wrath of the Lord, she shall not be inhabited; but
13 shall be entirely a desolation. SorroAV will cover the coun-
tenance of all who travel through Babylon; and at all their ca-
14 lamity they will express pity. Set yourselves in array all
around against Babylon. All ye who bend the bow shoot at
15 her: spare not your arrows, you must needs subdue her. Her
hands are weakened; her bulwarks have fallen, and her w^all is
undermined. Because it is a vengeance from the Lord ; exe-
16 cute vengeance on her. As she hath done, do ye to her. De-
stroy utterly the seed of Babylon, him who handleth the sickle
hi harvest. Let them return from the face of the Grecian
sword, every one to his own people; and let every one flee to
his own land.
17 Israel was a wandering sheep. Lions scared him away. The:
first who devoured him was the king of Assur, and this last, the
18 king of Babylon gnawed his bones. Therefore thus saith the
Lord, Behold I will execute vengeance on the king of Babylon
1 9 and his land as I executed vengeance on the king of Assy ria. And I
will bring back Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel,
and on mount Ephraim, and on Galaad; and his soul shall be
20 satisfied. In those days and at that time, search shall be made
for the iniquity of Israel; but none shall remain : and for the
sins of Juda; but none shall be found. For I will be merciful
to them who are left.
21 With respect to this land, saith the Lord» Go up with bit-
temess against it and against them who dwell in it; take ven-
geance, Ο sword, and destroy utterly; saith the Lord, and do
according to all that I command thee.
22 A sound of battle and great distress in the land of the
23 Chaldeans ! How the hammer of the whole earth is broken
Ch. L. JERtLMIAS.
and dashed to pieces 1 How Babylon is become a desolation
24 among the nations ! They will come upon thee and thou shalt
not know — like Babylon itself and thou shalt be taken. Thou
art found out and taken, because thou didst set thyself against
the Lord.
25 The Lord hath opened his arsenal and brought out the in-
struments of his wrath; because the Lord God hath a work
to perform in the land of the Chaldeans.
26 Because her time is come^open ye her treasuries, search
her like a cave; and destroy her utterly. Let not a remnant
27 of her be left. Lay waste all her fruits and let them go down
to destruction.
(p) Alas for them; for their day is come and the time of
28 their visitation ! Hark ! a sound of men fleeing and escaping
out of the land of Babylon to inform Sion of the vengeance of
the Lord our God.
29 (J) Issue these orders to many against Babylon — to every
one bending a bow — "Encamp against her round about ; let
none escape out of her." Render to her according to her works
— according to all that she hath done, do ye to her. Because she
30 set herself against the Lord, the holy God of Israel, therefore
her young men shall fall in her streets and all her mighty war-
riors shall be laid Ιολν, saith the Lord.
31 Behold I am against thee, thou essence of haughtiness,
saith the Lord. Because thy day is come and the time of thy
32 punishment; therefore thy haughtiness shall be abated and fall,
and none shall continue to support it. For I will kindle a fire
in her forest, which shall devour all around her.
33 Thus saith the Lord, The children of Israel and the chil-
dren of Juda have both been oppressed; all who captivated
them tyrannised over them.
34 Because they refused to let them go ; therefore their Re-
deemer — the Mighty One, whose name is The Lord x\lmighty
will plead their cause with their adversaries. In order that he
may remove this land out of the way he will sharpen for the
35 inliabitants of Babylon a sword against the Chaldeans and
against the inhabitants of Babylon; and against her grandees
36 and against her counsellors — a sword against her warriors and
they shall be destroyed; a sword against their horses and
37 against their chariots — a sword against their warriors and
Ch. LI. JEREMIAS.
the mixed multitude in the midst of her and they shall be like
Avomen — a sword against her treasures ; and they shall be
38 rifled; against them who are on her waters and they shall be
exposed to shame.
Because it is a land of the giaven images and it was in
39 these islands where they boasted therefore imageries shall
dwell in those islands and in her shall dwell the daugh-
40 ters of Sirens and she shall never more be inhabited. As God
overthrew Sodom and Gomorra and the neighbouring cities,
said the Lord, no man shall dwell there, nor shall a son of man
41 make his abode there. Behold a people is coming from the
north, even a mighty nation, and many kings shall be roused up
from the extremity of the earth handling the bow and sword.
42 They are haughty and will shew no mercy: their voice will roar
like the sea. On horses they will come prancing, in array like
43 fire, for battle against thee, Ο daughter of Babylon. The king
of Babylon heard the report of them and his hands were en-
feebled; anguish seized him like the pangs of a woman in tra-
44 vail. Behold he will be like the lion which must go up from the
swelling of Jordan to Gaitham, for I will speedily drive men
from her, and set every youth against her : for who is like me
and who can withstand me? And who is the shepherd who can
45 stand before me? Therefore hear the counsel which the Lord
hath taken against Babylon; and the determination he is come
to against the Chaldean inhabitants, let all but the lambs of
the flock be destroyed; let all but a pasture for them be made
46 a desolation. For at the sound of the capture of Babylon the
earth shall be shaken, and a scream shall be heard among the
nations.
LL Thus said the Lord. Behold against Babylon and against
the Chaldean inhabitants I am raising up a hot destroying wind.
2 And against Babylon I will send scorners who will treat her
with scorn and waste her land. Woe shall surround Babylon on
3 all sides on the day of her afiliction. Let him, who bendeth the
bow, bend it; and him, who hath armour put it on; shew no
4 compassion to her youths, and destroy utterly all her host. And
let the wounded fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and those
who are pierced through, fall in her streets.
5 (p) Since Israel and Juda are not quite forsaken by tlK'ir
Ch. LI. JEREMIAS.
God, the Lord Almighty, on account of their land being filled
6 Avith iniquity by reason of the sanctuaries of Israel; flee out of
Babylon and save every one his life and be not involved in her
iniquity. For the time of her punishment is come from the
7 Lord, and he is rendering to her a recompence. Babylon was
a golden cup in the hand of the Lord, furnishing a plentiful
draught to all the nations. Of her wine the nations drank,
8 therefore they reeled. But Babylon is suddenly fallen and bro-
ken. Utter a lamentation for her. Get balm for her deadly
wound; perhaps she may be cured.
9 (c) We have administered medicines to Babylon, but
she is not healed. Let us leave her and depart every one to
his own land: for her judgment hath reached to heaven and
10 mounted up to the stars. The Lord hath published his decree.
Come let us proclaim in Sion the works of the Lord our God.
11 (p) Prepare the arrows. Fill the quivers. The Lord hath
stirred up the spirit of the king of the Medes. For his wrath
is against Babylon to destroy her utterly. For it is the ven-
12 geance of the Lord — the avengement of his people. On the
walls of Babylon erect a standard; set the watch; have arms
ready. Because the Lord hath undertaken; therefore he will
accomplish what he hath spoken against tjie inhabitants of Ba-
13 by Ion — against them Avho dwell on many Avaters, and against
the multitude of her treasures. Thine end is come, it is come
14 indeed into thy bowels: for the Lord hath sworn by his arm,
"I will fill thee with men as with locusts; and they who go
down shall utter a sound against thee."
15 (c) The Lord is he who made the earth by his power,
who fitted up the world by his wisdom. By his understanding
16 he stretched out the heaven. At his voice there was in heaven
a sound of water, and he brought up clouds from the extremi-
17 ty of the earth. He made the lightning for rain and brought
out light from his treasuries. Every man by knowledge be-
came stupefied, every melter of gold was put to shame for his
graven images; for their molten images were falsehoods, there
18 is no breath in them. They are works of vanity and objects of
19 derision. In the time of their visitation they shall perish. The
portion of Jacob is not such as these, for he who formed all
things is his inheritance: his name is the Lord.
Ch. LI. JEREMIAS.
20 (J) Thou art dispersing for me implements of war, but
in thee I will disperse nations and remove kings out of thee;
2 1 and in thee I will disperse the horse and his rider; and in thee
22 I w ill disperse chariots and charioteers; and in thee I will dis-
perse the youth and the virgin; and in thee I will disperse the
23 husband and the wife; and in thee I will disperse the shepherd
and the flock; and in thee I will disperse the husbandman and
his husbandry; and in thee I will disperse the generals and
24 leaders of armies, and retribute to Babylon and all the Chal-
dean inhabitants all the evils which they have done to Sion in
25 your sight, saith the Lord. Behold I am against thee, Ο cor-
rupted mountain which corruptest the whole earth, and I will
stretch out my hand against thee and roll thee down on rocks;
and I ΛνϋΙ make thee like a mountain which hath been burned
to ashes, so that they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner
nor a stone for a foundation. For thou shalt be a desolation for
27 ever, saith the Lord. Erect a standard in the land. Sound a
trumpet among the nations. Prepare the nations against her.
Issue orders against her. Carry them, Ο kings, from me even
to the Achanazeans. Erect towers against her. Bring up against
28 her, cavalry like a multitude of locusts. Bring up against her
nations, the king of the Medes and of the whole earth — his
generals and all the leaders of his army.
29 (p) The earth was in commotion and oppressed with
toil, because the determination of the Lord against Baby-
lon had roused it, to make the land of Babylon a desolation
30 and uninhabitable. The warriors of Babylon declined to
fight. They will sit still there during a siege. Their migh-
31 ty power is broken. They are become like women. Her
habitations are burned with fire. Her bars are broken. Cou-
rier will run to meet courier and messenger to meet mcs^
32 senger to tell the king of Babylon that his city is taken — that
the passages one after another are forced — that the barriers
are burned with fire and his warriors are fleeing. For tlius said
33 the Lord, the houses of the king of Babylon shall be threshed
like a floor full of ripe grain. Yet a little while and her harvest
will come.
34 (c) She devoured me; she chewed me to pieces: thick
darkness overv/heimed me. Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon
Ch. LI JEREMIAS.
swallowed me down; like a dragon he filled his belly widi my
dainties. They have cast me up.
35 (p) Let the inhabitants of Sion say, My troubles and my
miseries be upon Babylon! and let Jerusalem say, My blood
be upon the Chaldean inhabitants!
S6 (J) For this cause, thus saith the Lord, Behold I will
judge thine adversary and avenge thy cause; and I will drain
37 off her sea and make her fountain dry, and Babylon shall be a
38 desolation and shall not be inhabited. Because they roused to-
39 gether like lions and like lions' whelps ; in their heat I will
give them a draught and make them drunk; that they may be
stupefied and sleep a perpetual sleep and never awake, saith
the Lord.
40 (p) Down, down with them, like lambs to slaughter and
41 like rams and he goats. How the boast of the whole earth
is hunted and taken! how Babylon has become a desolation
42 among the nations! The sea came up against Babylon with its
43 roaring waves, and she is overwhelmed. Her cities are become
like a land without water, an untrodden desert. Not an indivi-
dual can dwell there: nor can a son of man lodge in her.
44 (J) I will indeed punish Babylon and bring forth out of
her mouth what she hath swallowed. And the nations shall no
more be gathered together to her; nor shall the victims of the
50 whole earth fall by Babylon. Away from her country, ye who
have escaped; and tarry not; ye who are far off, remember the
Lord; and let Jerusalem recur to your mind.
51 (c) We are ashamed; because we have heard our re-
proach, disgrace hath covered our face; strangers have enter-
ed our sanctuaries — into the house of the Lord.
52 (J) Therefore behold the days are coming, saith the
Lord, when I will execute vengeance on her graven images,
53 and among all them her wounded shall fall in that land. For
though Babylon should mount up to heaven — though she forti-
f}' her walls with all her might, from me shall come forth those
who shall destroy her, saith the Lord.
54 (p) A soimd of screaming in Babylon! and great destruc-
55 tion in the land of the Chaldeans! For the Lord hath utterly
destroyed Babylon, and put an end to her din, which was like
the sound of greut waters. Her din he hath given up to destruc-
Gh. LII. JEREMIAS.
56 tion. For misery is come upon Babylon. Her warriors are tU-
ken. Their bow is confounded; for God rendereth them re-
tribution.
(J) The Lord rendereth them retribution; and he will
make utterly drunk her leaders and her wise men and her
generals, saith the king whose name is The Lord Almighty,
58 Thus saith the Lord, The wall of Babylon was made broad;
It shall be totally demolished and her lofty gates shall be burn-
ed with fire; and the peoples shall not labour in vain, though
the nations may at first fail.
59 THE word which the Lord commanded Jeremias the pro-
phet to deliver to Saraias son of Nerias son of Maasias when
he was going from Sedekias king of Juda to Babylon in the
fourth year of his reign. Now Saraias had the charge of the ho-
mage gifts.
60 When Jeremias had written in a book all the evils which
61 were to come upon Babylon, even all the words above written
against Babylon, Jeremias said to Saraias; When thou art come
62 to Babylon and shalt have seen and read all these words,
then thou shalt say, "O Lord, Lord, thou hast spoken against
this place, that thou wilt destroy it utterly, so that none shall
dwell therein, neither man nor beast; for it shall be a desola-
63 tion forever." And when thou hast finished reading the book,
then thou shalt tye a stone to it and throw it into the midst of
the Euphrates, and say, "So shall Babylon sink and rise no
more by reason of the evils which I bring upon it.
LH. XXXIX. SEDEKIAS was twenty one years old when he
began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem and
4 his mother's name was Ameital. She was a daughter of Jere-
mias of Lobena. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his
reign in the fifth month, on the tenth of the month, Nabucho-
donosar king of Babylon, came with his whole army against
Jerusalem, and they besieged it and built a wall around it of
square stones, and the city was besieged until the eleventh
6 year of king Sedekias. On the ninth day of the — month there
was a grievous famine in the city and there was no bread for
7 the people of the land. When a breach was made into the city,
VOL. Ill, Η h
Ch. LII. JEREMIAS.
all the men who were warriors went out by night by the way
of the gate between the outer and the inner wall, which was
along the king's garden, (though the Chaldeans were all around
8 the city;) and took the road to Araba. And the army of the
Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him on the borders
of Jericho. And all his servants being dispersed from him, they
9 took the king and carried him to the king of Babylon at Deb-
10 latha, who passed sentence on him. And the king of Babylon
slew the sons of Sedekias before his eyes. He slew also all the
11 chiefs of Juda at Deblatha. Then he put out the eyes of Sede-
kias and bound him with chains. And the king of Babylon led
him to Babylon and committed him to the slave prison where
he continued till the day of his death.
12 And on the fifth month on the tenth of the month Nabou-
zardan the chief cook, who stood in the presence of the king
of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and burned the house of the
Lord and the king's house. He burned also with fire all the
14 public buildings of the city and every stately house. And the
army of the Chaldeans which was with the chief cook demo-
16 lished all the wall of Jerusalem round about. But the chief cook
left the remains of the people for vine dressers and husband-
men.
17 The Chaldeans also broke to pieces the pillars of brass
which were in the house of the Lord and the bases and the
sea of brass which was in the house of the Lord, and took the
18 brass and carried it to Babylon with the crown, and the cups
and the flesh forks and all the utensils of brass with which they
19 sacrificed; and the Apphoths and the Masmaroths and the oil
vessels and the candlesticks and the censers and the cups:
those which were of gold, or gilded, and those which were of
20 silver, or plated, the chief cook took. As for the two pillars and
the sea and the twelve oxen of brass under the sea, which
king Solomon had made for the house of the Lord, there was
21 no weighing the brass thereof. The height of each of the pil-
lars was thirty five cubits and a fillet of twelve cubits encir-
22 cled it, the thickness of which was four fingers all around.
And there was a chapiter of brass on each of them of the height
of five cubits with a ball on the top of each and a piece of net
work and pomegranates around on each chapiter; all of brass;
eh. LIT, JEREMIAS.
23 eight pomegranates to a cubit for the twelve cubits. So that
there were ninety six pomegranates on the sides and all the po-
megranates on the net work round about were one hundred.
24 And the chief cook took the chief priest, and the priest
25 who was second to him, and the three who guarded the way;
and a eunuch who was over the men of war, and seven men
of renown who attended in the king's presence, who \vere
found in the city, and the scribe of the armies, who mustered
the people of the land ; and sixty chief men, of the people of
26 the country, who were found in the city. These Nabuzardan
the chief cook, took and brought to the king of Babylon at
27 Deblatha. And the king of Babylon slew them at Deblatha
in the land of Aimatli.
31 And it came to pass in the thirty seventh year of the cap-
tivity of Jechonias king of Juda, in the twelfth month, on the
twenty fourth of the month, Oulaimadachar king of Babylon,
m the first year of his reign, took and raised up the head of
Jechonias king of Juda, and caused him to be shaven and re-
leased him from the prison, in which he was confined, and
32 spoke kindly to him and set his seat above the kings, who
23 were with him in Babylon. And changed his prison dress, and
caused him to eat in his presence, all the days of his life,
34 And he had a portion continually given to him, day by
day, from the king of Babylon, to the day of his death.
THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAS.
I. jifter Israel was carried into captivity^ and Jerusaleju was
laid waste ; Jeremias sat down and wept, and sung this song
of woe over Jerusalem^ and said,
1 HOW solitary sitteth the city which was full of people !
she who was abundant among nations is become like a wi-
dow ! the empress of provinces is become tributary !
2 She wept sore by night and her tears are on her cheeks :
and of all her lovers there is none to comfort her. All her
friends dealt treacherously with her. They became her ene-
mies. —
3 Judea is forced to emigrate. On account of her humilia-
tion and because of her great servitude, she sat down among
Ch. r. ' LAMENTATIONS.
the nations; she found no rest. All her persecutors found her
among them who were afflicting her.
4 The highways of Sion mourn ; because none attend her
festivals. All her gates are desolate. Her priests groan bitterly.
Her virgins are carried away ; and she is by herself in bit-
terness. —
5 They who afflict her are become her head ; and her enc-
mies prosper. Because the Lord hath humbled her for the
multitude of her transgressions ; her children are gone into
captivity before the oppressor.
6 From the daughter of Sion all her comeliness is taken
away. Her chiefs were like rams which could find no pasture;
and they came without strength in view of the pursuer.
7 In the days of her humilation and rejection, Jerusalem re-
membered all the good things which she had in days of old.
When her people fell into the hands of the oppressor, and
there was none to help her ; her enemies seeing this, laughed
at her festivals held in commemoration of her settlement.
8 Jerusalem sinned grievously, therefore she became unstable
as a wave. By all that honoured her she hath been humbled,
for they saw her nakedness, while she sighing turned away
her face.
9 Her uncleanness was before her feet. She was insensible
to her extreme distress. He hath indeed lowered her haugh-
tiness ; there is none who comforteth her. Ο Lord, behold my
affliction because the enemy is magnified.
10 On all the objects of her desire the oppressor hath laid
his hand ; for into her sanctuary, she saw nations entering,
concerning whom thou hast commanded that they should not
come into thy congregation.
11 All her people were sighing deeply, seeking bread. They
gave up the objects of her desire, for meat to preserve life.
Look down, Ο Lord, and see how she is dishonoured.
12 (s) Ho ! all ye who travel the way turn and see ! is there
any sorrow like this of mine, which he hath denounced against
me. The Lord hath humbled me in the day of his fierce in-
dignation.
(s) Sion, or the city of Jerusalem.
Ch. II. LAMENTATIONS.
13 From his loftiness he hath sent a fire ; he brought it ii|
among my bones. He hath spread a net for my feet and turn-
ed me backwards. He hath made me desolate and full of sor.
row, all the live long day.
14 He hath kept a watch on my transgressions. They arc
VTeathed round my hands. They have reached up to my neck.
My strength is enfeebled. For into my hands the Lord hath
sent pains. I camiot stand.
15 From amidst me the Lord hath removed all my mighty
men. He hath brought upon me the time for crushing my
chosen bands. The Lord trod out a vat for the virgin daugh-
16 ter of Juda. For these things I mourn. Mine eye hath flowed
with water, because my comforter, he who is the supporter
of my life, is far removed from me. My children are vanished
because the enemy hath prevailed.
17 (p) Sion stretched forth her hand ; there is none to com-
fort her. The Lord gave a command respecting Jacob ; around
him are they who afflict him. Jerusalem became among them,
like one set apart as unclean.
18 (s) The Lord is righteous ; for against his express com-
mandment I rebelled. Hear I beseech you all ye peoples and
behold my sorrow ! my virgins and my young men are gone
into captivity.
19 I called on my lovers; but they with false excuses deceiv-
ed me. My priests and my elders expired in the city, because
they sought food to support their lives, but found none.
20 Look, Ο Lord ! because of my distress my bowels are
, troubled ; and my heart within me is distracted, because I
have grievously rebelled. Abroad the sword, and at home
death have bereaved me of children.
21 Hear, I beseech thee ! because I groan ; there is none to
comfort me. All mine enemies heard of my calamities, and
rejoiced at what thou hast done. Thou hast brought on a day :
22 thou hast proclaimed a time. They were like me, let all their
wickedness come before thee. Make search for them as they
have made search for all my transgressions. For my groans
are many, and my heart is afflicted with grief.
II. OH ! how the Lord hath in his wrath covered with dark-
Ch. II. LAMENTATIONS.
ness the daughter of Sion ! he hath cast down, from heaven,
upon the earth, the glory of Israel ; and hath not remember-
ed his own footstool.
2 In the day of his indignation the Lord overwhelmed and
did not spare ; in his wrath he destroyed all the comeliness of
Jacob : he levelled to the ground the strong holds of the daugh-
ter of Juda. He brought contempt on her king, and her chiefs.
3 In his fierce anger he broke the whole horn of Israel : he
turned back his right hand from before his enemy : he kind-
led in Jacob a flaming fire, which devoured all around.
4 He bent his bow like an opposing enemy — like an adversa-
ry he strengthened his right hand and slew all the desires of
mine eyes. In the tent of the daughter of Sion he poured out
his wrath like fire.
5 The Lord became like an enemy. He overwhelmed Israel.
He sunk her palaces. He destroyed his own munitions, and
multiplied on the daughter of Juda humiliation on humiliation.
6 He laid open like a vineyard his own dwelling; he marred
his own festivals. The Lord forgot the festivals and sabbaths
which he had established in Sion, and by the rebuke of his an-
ger vexed king and priest and chief.
7 The Lord hath cast off his altar; he hath shaken off his
sanctuary. With the hand of an enemy he hath demolished
the wall of her palaces. They uttered a shout in the house of
the Lord as on the day of a festival.
8 He turned back to destroy the wall of the daughter of Si'-
bn; he stretched out a measuring line : he withdrew not his
hand from destruction; so the outer wall mourned and the in-
ner wall languished with it.
9 Her gates were dashed to the ground : he destroyed and
broke to pieces her bars, her king and her chiefs among the
nations. Law is no more; and her prophets saw not a vision
from the Lord.
10 The elders of the daughter of Sion sat on the ground.
They were silent. They heaped dust on their heads; they gird-
ed themselves with sackcloth. He humbled to the ground the
virgin princesses in Jerusalem.
1 1 Mine eyes failed with tears; my heart was astounded. My
glory was poured on the ground for the distress of the daugh-
Ch. II. LAMENTATIONS.
ter of my people when the infant and suckling expired in the
streets of the city.
12 To their mothers they said, " Where is corn and wine,'*
when they were fainting like wounded men in the streets of
the city — when they were pouring out their souls in their mo-
thers' bosom.
13 What shall I take to witness for thee? Or to what shall I
liken thee, Ο daughter of Jerusalem? Who can save and com-
fort thee, Ο virgin daughter of Sion? Because thy cup of ruin
hath been large, who can heal thee?
14 Thy prophets saw vanities and follies for thee; they made
no revelations against thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity,
but saw for thee false burdens and expellings.
15 All that passed by clapped their hands for thee, they ex-
pressed the sound of pity and shaked their heads for the daugh-
ter of Jerusalem. Is this, say they, the city, the crown of joy of
the whole earth !
16 Against thee all thine enemies opened their mouth; they
hissed and gnashed their teeth and said, We have swallowed
her up; but this is the day we looked for; we have found it ;
we have seen it.
17 The Lord hath done what he purposed. He hath executed
his decree, what he enjoined in days of old. He hath destroy-
ed and hath not spared. He hath caused an enemy to rejoice
18 over thee. He hath exalted the horn of thine oppressor. Their
heart cried to the Lord. O! walls of Sion cause tears to flow
down like a torrent day and night. Give thyself no rest; let not
19 the daughter of thine eyes be silent. Arise, chant praise in the
night at setting thy watch. Pour out thy heart like water before
the Lord; lift up thy hands to him for the life of thine infants,
who are perishing with hunger at the head of every street.
20 Look, Ο Lord, and see. For whom hast thou caused such
a search to be made? Shall women eat the fruit of their womb!
The cook hath made search ! Shall infants at the breast be
butchered? Wilt thou slay in the sanctuary of the Lord, priest
and prophet?
21 On the high way lie the youth and the elder. My virgins
and my young men are gone into captivity ; with sword and
with famine thou hast slain; in the day of thine anger thou
hast slaughtered and hast not spared.
Ch. III. LAMENTATIONS.
22 He called my sojourners from all around to a solemn festi-
val, so that in the day of the indignation of the Lord none
escaped or were left. As I excelled in power so have I multi-
plied all mine enemies.
III. I AM a man who have seen affliction by the rod of his
2 wrath against me. He hath seized me and dragged me into
3 darkness and there is no light. But still he turned his hand
against me all the day long.
4 He hath made my flesh and my skin old; he hath broken
5 my bones. He built up against me and encompassed my head
6 and afflicted it with pain : in dark mansions he placed me like
the dead of old.
7 He built up against me so that I cannot get out. He made
8 my chain heavy. Though I scream and cry, he shut out my
9 prayer. He walled up my ways; he blocked up my paths; he
terrified me.
10 He was as a bear lying in wait; to me he was like a lion in
11 secret coverts. He pursued me when I fled and stopped me.
12 He removed me quite out of sight. He bent his bow and set
13 me up as a mark for his arrow. He poured into my reins the
darts of his quiver.
14 I became a subject of laughter to all my people-— their
15 song all the day long. He glutted me with wormwood; he
gave me a large draught of gall, and broke my teeth with
16 gravel. He drenched me with ashes. He removed my soul far
17 from peace. I forgot prosperity; so my strength was destroy.
18 ed and the hope which 1 had from the Lord. I recollected be-
19 cause of mine affliction. When by reason of persecution, my
20 bitterness and gall shall be remembered; then on myself will
21 my soul meditate. I will lay this up in my heart. On this ac-
22 count I will wait for the mercies of the Lord, because he hath
not quite forsaken me— because his compassion is not ex-
hausted. In the ensuing months, Ο Lord, exercise compas-
slon, since we are not quite consumed — since thy mercies are
23 not exhausted. New every morning is thine abundant faithful-
24 ness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore I will
25 wait for him. The Lord is gracious to them who wait for him;
26 for the soul, that will seek him, there is good; let it therefore
27 wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man
Ch. HI. LAMENTATIONS.
28 when he hath home a yoke in his youth. He will sit solitary and
30 be silent, because he hath taken it upon him. He will give his
31 cheek to him who smiteth it; he will feed on reproaches; be-
32 cause the Lord will not cast off forever — because he who hath
33 humbled will have compassion, even according to themulti-
34 tude of his mercies. He did not answer from his heart and
35 humble the children of men with an intent to crush under his
36 feet all the prisoners of the earth; to turn aside the cause of
man from before the Most High. To condemn a man when he
is on his trial, the Lord hath not enjoined.
37 (a) Who ever enjoined thus; when it hath happened, hath
not the Lord ordered it?
38 (b) From the mouth of the Most High shall not ills pro-
39 ceed as well as good? Why should a living man murmur — a
40 man for his sin offering? Our way hath been searched and tried;
41 let us then return to the Lord. Let us offer up our hearts on
42 our hands to Him who is High in heaven. We have sinned; we
have been guilty of impiety; and thou hast not been appeased.
43 Thou hast covered with wrath and discarded us; thou hast
44 slain and hast not spared; thou hast covered thyself with a
cloud because of prayer, that I may shut mine eyes and be
45 cast off. Thou hast placed us in the midst of the peoples; all
46 our enemies have opened their mouths against us. On us are
47 come terror and wrath, desolation and destruction. Let
48 streams of water be collected by mine eye, for the destruction
49 of the daughter of my people. Mine eye is bathed in tears and
50 I cannot keep silence that it may dry, until the Lord look
51 down from heaven and behold. Let mine eye be more Λvatch-
52 ful for my life, than all the daughters of a city. With eagerness
53 all mine enemies have hunted me like an ostiich; without
54 cause they have condemned me to die in a dungeon, and placed
a stone over me. Water was poured above upon my head. I
55 said, I am cast off. I called on thy name, Ο Lord, out of the
56 deepest dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice; stop not thine
57 ear against my supplication. To my assistance thou didst draw
near. On the day I called on thee, thou saidst to me. Fear not.
(a) An olsjection. (b) The answer»
VOL. Ill- I i
Ch. IV. LAMENTATIONS.
58 Thou, Ο Lord, hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast
59 redeemed my life. Thou, Ο Lord, hast seen my wrongs; thou
60 hast decided my cause. Thou hast seen all their vengeance —
61 into all their devices against me. Thou hast heard their re-
62 proach — all their charges against me — the speeches of them
63 who accused me; their studied harangues against me all the day
64 long. At their sitting down and their rising up, look down on
65 their eyes. Thou, Ο Lord, wilt render them a recompence ac-
66 cording to tlie works of their hands. Thou wilt give them for
a shield the sorrow of my heart. Thou wilt pursue them Λvith
indignation, and destroy them utterly from under heaven.
IV. HOW gold can be tarnished! How pure silver can be
changed! Holy stones were shot down at the head of all the
outlets.
2 The sons of Sion who were precious, more precious than
gold; how they have been accounted as earthen vessels, the
works of a potter's hands.
3 Surely jackals drew out the breasts; their whelps suckled
the daughters of my people, to make them unnatural as the
ostrich in the desert.
4 The tongue of a sucking babe cleaved to the roof of its
mouth for thirst: infants asked for bread, there is none who
breaketh it for them.
5 They who had fed upon dainties perished in the highways;
they who had been nursed in scarlet were covered with dung.
6 The transgression of the daughter of my people was greater
than that of Sodom which was overthrown suddenly, without
tiring hands with it.
7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow; they were whiter than
milk. They were more ruddy than a sapphire. Behold their
change!
8 Their visage became blacker than soot. They are not
distinguished in the streets. Their skin is shrivelled to their
bones. They are withered. They are become like a stick.
9 The victims of the sword are more beautiful than those
slain by famine. These stalked about pierced through for want
of the fruits of the field.
10 The hands of tender-hearted women boiled their own chil-
dren; these were food for them in the extreme distress of the
daughter of my people.
Ch. V. LAMENTATIONS.
11 The Lord hath executed his wrath — he hath poured out
his fierce anger. He hath kindled a fire in Sion, which hath
devoured her very foundations.
12 The kings of the earth; all the inhabitants of the world did
not believe that an enemy and a destroyer could have entered
the gates of Jerusalem.
13 Because of the sins of her prophets; the iniquities of her
priests; of them who were shedding innocent blood, in the
midst of her, (her watchmen shuddered in the streets, they were
polluted with blood, as they could not but have touched their
15 clothes. "Stand off from the unclean." Call to them "Stand off !
Stand oif! touch not" because they had been touched they shud-
dered.) Say among the nations, Let them no longer sojourn there.
16 The presence of the Lord was their portion; he will no
more look upon them: they paid no respect to the presence of
priests; on prophets they had no compassion.
17 While we yet existed our eyes failed looking in vain for
our help. When we looked out, we looked to a nation that
could not save.
18 We have hunted for our little ones that they might not
walk in our streets. Our time is come. Our days are fulfilled.
Our time is at hand.
19 They who pursue us are swifter than eagles in the air; they
overtook us on the mountains. They lay in wait for us in the
desert,
20 In their slaughters is comprehended the breath of our nos-
trils, our anointed Lord, of whom we said. Under his shadow
we shall live among the nations.
21 Rejoice and be glad, Ο daughter of Idumeawho dwellest
in the land. To thee however the cup of the Lord will come
and thou shalt drink and vomit.
22 Ο daughter of Sion, thine iniquity is done away. He will
no more banish thee. He hath visited thine iniquities, Ο daugh-
ter of Edom. He hath exposed thee for thy sins,
V. REMEMBER, Ο Lord, what hath befallen us: look down
2 and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is transferred to stran-
3 gers ; our houses to foreigners. We are become orphans. Our
Ch. V. LAMENTATIONS.
4 father is no more. Our mothers are like widows. Our water
we have drunk for money. Our wood came by barter on our
5 shoulders. We have been persecuted. We have laboured and
6 have had no rest. Egypt laid to a hand ; Assyria, till they
7 were satisfied. Our fathers sinned ; they are no more. We
8 have borne their transgressions. Slaves have got dominion
9 over us ; there is none to deliver us out of their hand. At the
peril of our lives we must gather in our corn, because of the
10 sword of the desert. Our skin is black as an oven. They are
11 shrivelled up by storms of famine. Our wives are humbled
12 in Sion ; our virgins in the cities of Juda. Our chiefs were
hanged up by their hands ; our elders were held in no esteem.
13 Our warriors took up a lamentation ; and our youths fainted
14 under a club. Our elders have ceased to attend at the gates,
15 and our chosen men have ceased from their songs. The joy
of our heart is at an end ; our dance is turned into mouming.
16 Our crown is fallen from our head ; alas for us ! for we have
17 sinned. Because of this, grief is come upon us — our heart is
18 full of sorrow : because of this, our eyes are dim. On mount
19 Sion, because it is desolate, foxes have walked about. But
thou, Ο Lord, wilt inhabit it forever : thy throne is for all ge-
20 nerations. Why wilt thou utterly forget us ? Wilt thou leave
2 1 us for length of days? Turn us to thee, Ο Lord, and we shall be.
22 turned and renew our days as heretofore. Because thou wast
cast off, thou hast cast us off; thou hast been provoked against
us to a high degree.
EZEKIEL.
I, In the thirtieth year, and fourth month, on the fifth day
2 of the month, when I was among the captives by the river
Chobar, the heavens were opened and I saw the visions of
God. On the fifth of that month (this was the fifth year of the
3 captivity of king Jechonias) the word of the Lord came to
Ezekiel son of Buzi the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans,
by the river Chobar. And the hand of the Lord was upon me,
and I looked, and lo ! a whirlwind came from the north, and
with it a great cloud surrounded with a splendor of flashing
fire ; and in the midst thereof, an appearance like that of am-
Ch. I. EZEKIEL.
5 ber in the middle of the fire, and a splendor in it. And in the
middle, a resemblance like that of four living beings. And this
6 was the appearance of them. They had a resemblance of a man
7 in them. And each had four faces, and each had four wings ;
and their legs \vere straight and their feet winged and spark-
ing like sparkling brass. And their wings had a quick mo-
8 tion. And underneath their wings on their four sides was a
9 man's hand. And the faces of the four turned not when they
went. They marched forward each having a face on every
10 side. And with regard to the similitude of their faces, the four
had the face of a man with the face of a lion, on the right ;
and on the left the four had the face of a bullock, and the four
11 had a face of an eagle. And the wings of the four were ex-
panded upwards, each having a pair expanded adjoining each
12 other and a pair folded on their body. And they moved on,
13 each straight forward, which way soever the wind was mov-
ing, they moved on, and turned not. And in the midst of the
four living beings, was an appearance like that of glowing
coals of fire, resembling lamps whirling round between the
living beings with a splendor of fire, and from the fire light-
15 nings flashed. And I beheld and lo ! on the ground, close to
the four living beings a wheel ! one to every of the four. —
16 And the appearance of the wheels was like the appearance
of a beryl. And the four had one and the same likeness.
And their \vorkmanship was as if there was a wheel within
17 a wheel. They ran on their four sections and shifted not
18 their position when they ran, nor did their felloes when they
were elevated. And I beheld, and their felloes Λvere full of
19 eyes, all around the four. And when the living beings moved
on, the wheels moved on close by them. And when the
living beings mounted up from the earth, the wheels mount-
20 ed up. Wherever the cloud was, there was the wind for
their movement ; the wheels moved on and were carried
aloft with them. Because there was a breath of life in the
21 wheels, when the living beings moved on, the wheels moved
on : when those stood still, these stood still : and when those
mounted up from the earth, these mounted up with them, be-
22 cause there was a breath of life in the wheels. And over the
head of the living beings, there was a likeness resembling a
Ch. II. EZEKIEL.
firmament, like the appearance of chrystal over their wings,
23 which were expanded above them. And their wings which
were expanded below the firmament, flapped one against ano-
ther, while every one had a pair that covered their bodies. —
24 And when they moved on I heard the sound of their wings
like the sound of much M^ater : but when they stopped, their
25 wings Avere still. And lo! a voice from above the firmament!
26 this being over their heads, there Λvas an appearance like that
of a sapphire stone and a resemblance of a throne upon it. And
upon the resemblance of the throne a resemblance like the ap-
27 pearanceof amanabove. And I saw a resemblance of amber from
the appearance of the loins and upwards; and from the appear-
ance of the loins and downwards, I saw an appearance of fire:
and the splendor thereof round about was like the bow which
is in the clouds in a showery day. Such was the state of the
splendor round about.
II. THIS was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the
Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and I heard a voice
of one speaking and he said to me. Son of man, stand on thy
2 feet and I will speak to thee. Whereupon a blast of wind came
upon me and took me and lifted me up and set me on my
feet and I heard him speaking to me and he said to me,
3 Son of man, I am about to send thee to the house of Israel,
to them who are provoking me; who have provoked me, both
4 they and their fathers even to this day. And thou shalt say un-
5 to them, "Thus saith the Lord," whether they hear or be af-
6 frighted; (for they are a provoking house) and let them know
that thou art a prophet among them. And thou son of man, be
not afraid of them nor daunted at their presence. Because they
will sting thee and rise up against thee on all sides and thou
dwellest in the midst of scorpions, be not afraid of their words
7 nor terrified at their looks — because they are a provoking
house, therefore thou shalt deliver my words to them whether
they hear or be affrighted.
8 Because they are a provoking house, thou therefore, son of
man, hear him who is speaking to thee and be not thou rebel-
lious like this rebellious house. Open thy mouth and eat what
I give thee.
9 Then I looked, and lo! a hand stretched out towards me
Ch. ΠΙ. EZEKIEL.
and in it a roll of a book and he unfolded it before me and
there were writings on it on both sides. And the writings were
funeral odes and songs of woe.
III. And he said to me, Son of man eat this roll and go and
2 speak to the children of Israel. And when he had opened my
3 mouth and put the roll into it, he said to me, Son of man, Let
thy mouth eat and thy belly be filled with this roll which is
given thee. So I ate it, and it was in my mouth sweet as ho-
4 ney. Then he said to me, Son of man, go and get thee to the
5 house of Israel and speak to them these words of mine, seeing
thou art sent to the house of Israel — not to a people of strange
6 language, nor to many tribes of strange and foreign tongues,
nor to them whose pronunciation is harsh and whose words
thou canst not understand; though had I sent thee to such they
7 might have hearkened to thee. But the house of Israel will not
hearken to thee, since they are not willing to hearken to me.
Because all the house of Israel are contentious and stubborn,
8 therefore behold I have made thy face strong against their
faces, and I will invigorate thy struggle against their strug-
9 gling and it shall be on all occasions firmer than a rock. Be not
afraid of them nor daunted at their countenance, because they
10 are a provoking house. Then he said to me, Son of man, lay
up in thy heart all the words which I have spoken to thee; and
1 1 having heard with thine ears go get thee to the captivity, to
the children of thy people, and thou shalt speak to them and
say to them, "Thus saith the Lord," whether they hear or for-
bear.
12 Then a blast of wind took me up and I heard behind me
a sound of a great earthquake, *■'' Blessed he the glory of the Lord
from this place of his:'' ^ whereupon I looked towards the sound
and saw that this sound of an earthquake was that of the wings
14 flapping one against another and that of the wheels near them.
Then the blast lifted me up and bore me aloft and I went by
the impulse of my own spirit, and the hand of the Lord upon
15 me was strong, and being borne aloft I came to the captivity
and went round among them who dwelt by the river Chobar —
among them who were there. And I abode there seven days
conversing with them. , .
16 And after these seven davs a word of the Lord came to mt
Ch. IV. EZEKIEL.
17 saying, Son of man; I have made thee a watchman to the house
of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear a word from my mouth
18 and warn them from me. When I say to the unrighteous, Thou
shalt surely die, and thou hast not warned the unrighteous to
turn from his ways that he may live; that unrighteous man
shall die for his iniquity; but his blood I will require at thy
19 hand. But if thou hast warned the unrighteous and he will not
turn from his iniquity and from his way; that unrighteous man
shall die for his iniquity, and thou shalt deliver thy soul. So
when a righteous man tumeth from his righteous acts and
shall commit transgression though I lay the punishment before
him; he shall die. Because thou hast not warned him, though
he indeed shall die for his sins (for his righteous acts will not
21 be remembered;) yet his blood I will require at thy hand. But
if thou hast warned the righteous man not to sin and he sin-
neth not; the righteous man shall live; and because thou hast
warned him, thou shalt deliver thy soul.
22 Then the hand of the Lord was upon me; and he said to
23 me. Arise and go out to the plain and I will there speak to thee.
So I arose and went out to the plain; and behold the glory of
the Lord stood there like the vision and like the glory of the
Lord which I saw by the river Chobar. Whereupon I fell on
24 my face. And a blast of Avind came upon me and set me on
my feet, and he spoke to me and said to me. Go and shut thy-
25 self up in thy house. Now son of man, behold chains are pre.
pared for thee; and thou shalt be bound with them and shalt
26 not get out of them. And I will bind up thy tongue, that thou
mayst be dumb and not be to them a reprover, because they
27 are a rebellious house. And when I speak to thee, I will open
thy mouth and thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord,
whoso heareth let him hear; and let him who is disobedient, be
IV. disobedient, since they are a rebellious house. And thou
son of man, take thee a tile and set it before thee and pourtray
2 thereon the city Jerusalem; and thou shalt lay siege to it and
build mounts against it and throw up a circumvallation around
it and pitch camps against it and arrange the towers for engines
3 round about. Then take thee an iron pan and place it as an
iron wall between thee and the city and set thy face agauist it
4 and it shall be besieged and thou shalt besiege it. This is a
Ch. V. ' EZEKIEL.
sign for the children of Israel. And thou shalt lie on thy left
side and lay on it the iniquities of the house of Israel. Accord-
ino• to the number of the hundred and fifty days which thou
5 shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquities. Now I have
given thee their iniquities to the number of a hundred and
6 ninety days. So when thou hast taken the iniquities of the
house of Israel and finished them, thou shalt lie on thy right
7 side and bear the iniquities of the house of Juda forty days. I
have given thee a day for a year. Therefore thou shalt prepare
thy face for the siege of Jerusalem and strengthen thine arm and
8 prophesy against it. And behold I have given chains for thee
that thou mayst not turn from one of thy sides to the other until
9 the days of thy siege are accomplished. Provide therefore for
thyself wheat and barley and beans and lentiles and millet and
rye and put them into an earthen vessel and make them into
loaves for thyself according to the number of the days which
thou liest on thy side, to be eaten in the course of a hundred and
10 ninety days. And thou shalt eat thy bread by weight, twenty
11 shekels a day. From time to time thou shalt eat it: and thou
shalt drink water by measure, namely the sixth of an hin to be
12 drunk at stated times. And thou shalt eat the loaves baked like
barley cakes on the hearth, and thou shalt bake them in their
13 sight with a fire made of human ordure and shalt say, Thus
saith the Lord the God of Israel, So shall the children of Israel
14 eat impure meats among the nations. Upon this I said. Not
so: Ο Lord God of Israel, seeing my soul hath not been pollut-
ed with impurity. Even from my birth to this day I have not
eaten what died of itself, or was torn by wild beasts, nor hath any
15 tainted flesh ever entered my mouth. Thereupon he said to
me, Behold I have given thee the dung of cattle instead of hu-
16 man ordure that thou mayst bake thy loaves with it. Moreover
he said to me, son of man, Behold I break the staff of bread in
Jerusalem and they shall eat bread by weight and with scanti-
ness; and they shall drink water by measure and with faintness;
17 that they may be in want of bread and water and perish, one
and all, and be wasted away for their iniquities.
V. And thou son of man, take thee a knife sharper than a bar-
ber's razor and having procured sucli a one ihou shalt pass it
over thy head and thy beard. Then thou shalt take a pair of
VOL. iir. κ k
Ch. V. EZEKIEL,
2 scales; and having weighed the hair thou shalt bum the fourth
part of it with fire, in the space before the city; during the
completion of the days of the siege. And thou shalt take
another fourth part and burn it in the midst of the city; and thou
shalt hack with the sword another fourth part, around the city;
and the other fourth part thou shalt scatter to the wind and I will
3 draw out a sword after them. But of this parcel thou shalttake a
4 few in number and tie them up in thy mantle. Yet even of these
thou shalt take some and cast them into the midst of the fire and
burn them with fire which shall come out of the city and thou shalt
say to all the house of Israel thus saith the Lord, This is Jcrusa-
5 lem. I placed her in the midst of nations and the countries around
6 her, that thou shouldst tell my rules of rectitude to such of the
nations as are without law; and that mine ordinances might be
the ordinances of the countries around her. Because they re-
jected my rules of rectitude and did not walk by mine ordi-
7 nances; therefore thus saith the Lord, Because you have taken
your bent from the nations around you, and have not walked
in my statutes, nor practised my rules of rectitude, nor acted
even conformably to the moral precepts of the nations around
8 you; therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I am against thee;
and in the midst of thee I will execute judgment in the sight
9 of the nations, and do to thee according to all thine abomina-
tions, what I have not done, and the like of which I will not
10 do any more. For this cause fathers shall eat children in the
midst of thee; and children shall eat fathers. And I will exe-
cute judgment upon thee, and scatter all the remnant of thee
1 1 to every wind. For this cause, as I live saith the Lord, Be-
cause thou hast polluted my holy things with all thine abomi-
nations; therefore I will cast thee off; mine eye shall not spare
1:2 nor will I have compassion. The fourth part of thee shall be
consumed with pestilence; and the fourth part of thee shall
perish by famine in the midst of thee; and the fourth part of
thee shall fall by the sword around thee; and I will make bare
13 a sword to pursue them. And my wrath shall be spent, and
mine indignation, on them ; and thou shalt know why I the
Lord have spoken in my zeal, when I have executed mine in-
14 dignation on them. And I will make thee and thy daughters
Ch. VI. EZEKIEL.
around thee, a desolation, in the sight of every one who pass-
15 eth by. And thou shalt be an object of lamentation and hor-
ror to the nations around thee, when I have executed judg-
ment on thee with mine avenging wrath : I the Lord have
16 spoken. For when I have sent against them my shafts of fa-
17 mine and they shall be for destruction, I will break thy staff
of bread and send against thee famine and wild beasts; and
pimish thee; and death and blood shall pass through upon thee:
and I will bring a sword against thee from all around; I the
Lord have spoken.
VL Π. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, saying.
Son of man set thy face against the mountains of Israel and
prophesy against them and thou shalt say,
3 Ο mountains of Israel, hear a word of the Lord; Thus saith
the Lord to the mountains and hills, and to the vales and the
forests, Behold I am bringing a sword against you; and your
4 high places shall be destroyed; and your altars and your tem-
ples shall be trodden down; and I will cast down your slain be-
5 fore your idols; and scatter your bones around your altars
6 and in all your dwelling places. The cities shall be laid waste
and the high places desolated, that your altars may be utterly
destroyed: and your idols shall be trampled down, when your
7 fanes are removed; and your wounded shall fall in the midst
8 of you; and you sliall know that I am the Lord. When some
of you, who have escaped from the sword, are among the na-
9 tions and in your dispersions through the countries; then shall
those of you, who have escaped, remember me among the
nations whither they have been carried captives. With their
heart which is going a whoring from me, and with their eyes,
which are going a whoring after their own devices(I have sworn)
10 they shall bewail themselves for all their abominations and ac-
knowledge that I the Lord have spoken.
11 Thus saith the Lord, Clap with thy hand, and stamp with
thy foot, and say. Ha ! ha ! to all the abominations of the
house of Israel. By sword and by pestilence, and by famine
12 they shall fall. He who is near shall fall by the sword ; and
he who is far off, shall die by pestilence ; and he who is besieged
shall be consumed by famine. And I will accomplish my fury
Ch. VII. EZEKIEL.
13 on them. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when your
slain are in the midst of your idols, around your altars, on
every lofty mount, and under every shady tree, where they
14 offered a sweet smelling savour to all their idols. For I will
stretch forth my hand against them ; and make the land a de-
solation and a scene of destruction, from the wilderness of
Deblatha through all their habitations ; and you shall know
that I am the Lord.
VII. III. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 And thou son of man say, Thus saith the Lord, To the land
of Israel an end is coming. The end is come upon the four
6 wings of die land. The end is coming on thee who inhabitest
7 the land. The time is come. The day hath approached, not
8 with commotions nor with pangs. Now near at hand I pour
out mine indignation on thee ; and upon thee I will spend my
wrath ; and judge thee for thy ways, and retribute to thee all
9 thine abominations. Mine eye shall not spare, nor will I have
compassion. Because I will retribute to thee thy ways, when
thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee ; therefore
3 thou shalt know that it is I the Lord who smite thee. Now
the end is upon thee. I will send it against thee, and punish
thee for thy ways and retribute to thee all thine abominations.
4 Mine eye shall not spare, nor will I have compassion. Because
I will recompense upon thee thy ways, when thine abomina-
tions shall be in the midst of thee ; therefore thou shalt ac-
5 knowledge that I am the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, Lo !
1 1 the end is coming. Behold it is the day of the Lord. If indeed
the rod hath budded, pride hath come to a full growth. —
Therefore he will break the stay of the unrighteous ; but not
12 with commotion nor with perturbation. The end is come.
Behold the day ! let not him who purchaseth rejoice, nor
13 him who selleth, mourn ; since he who purchaseth shall no
more return to him λυΙίο selleth. Nor will any man hold with
14 an eye to life. Sound the trumpet and pass sentence on all
15 together. Abroad let there be battle with the sword, and at
home flimine and pestilence. Let him who is in the field die
by the sword ; and them in the city let famine and pestilence
16 destroy. Now shall they escape who escape from among
Ch. VIII. EZEKIEL.
them ? When they shall be on the mountains, I will hideed
slay all, every one for his iniquities.
17 All hands shall be enfeebled and all thighs stained with filth.
18 And they shall gird on sackcloth; and amazement shall cover
them. And shame shall be on all their faces : and on every
19 head, baldness. Their silver shall be thrown in the streets ;
and their gold shall be disregarded. Their souls shall not be
satisfied ; nor shall their bellies be filled : because the punish-
20 ment of their iniquities is come. With their choice apparel
which was laid by for ostentation — even with this they adorn-
ed the images of their abominations ; therefore I have given
21 it to them for defilement — even into the hand of strangers I
will deliver it for plunder, and to be a spoil for the ravagers
22 of the earth ; and they shall defile it. And I will turn away
my face from them ; and they shall pollute the places under
my peculiar inspection, and come into them unobserved, and
23 profane them and make them an abomination. Because the
24 land is full of peoples, and the city is full of iniquity ; there,
fore I will turn back their tumultuous power, and their holy
25 things shall be polluted. Though an atonement shall come
26 and seek peace, it shall be no more. Woe shall succeed woe;
and news be followed by news ; and a vision shall be sought
from a prophet : and law shall perish from the priest, and
27 counsel from the elders — the chief shall be clothed with dark-
ness ; and the hands of the people of the land shall be weak-
ened. According to their ways I will deal with them ; and
for their crimes I will punish them ; and they shall knoΛV
that I am the Lord.
VIII. IV. AGAIN in the sixth year in the fifth month, on
the fifth of the month as I was sitting at home, and the elders
of Juda, were sitting before me, the hand of the Lord came
2 upon me. And I looked and lo ! a likeness of a man ! From
his loins downward was fire, and from his loins upward
3 was an appearance like tliat of amber. And he stretched
forth the similitude of a hand and took hold of me by the
crown of the head and a blast of wind lifted me up bet\\'een
heaven and earth, and in a vision of God, brought me to Je-
rusalem, to the A'cstibulc of the gate facing the north, where
Ch. VIII. EZEKIEL.
4 was the pillar of the possessor. And behold the glory of the
Lord God of Israel was there, such in appearance as I saw
5 in the plain. And he said to me, Son of man, look up \vith
thine eyes towards the north. So I looked up Λvith mine eyes
towards the north, and behold from the north to the gate
6 facing the east, ^*^ And he said to me, Son of man hast thou
seen what they are doing, They are committing great iniqui-
ties here that they may abstain from my holy things : but
7 thou shalt see still greater iniquities. Then he led me into
the vestibule of the court, and said to me, Son of man, dig.
8 So I digged and lo ! a door. And he said to me, Go in and
9 see the transgressions which they are committing here. So I
10 went in and beheld, and lo ! vain abominations and all the idols
1 1 of the house of Israel portrayed upon them round about and se-
venty men of the elders of the house of Israel ; and Jechonias
the son of Saphan in the midst stood foremost, and every one
had a censer in his hand, and the smoke of the incense ascend-
12 ed. And he said to me, Hast thou seen, son of man, what the
elders of the house of Israel are doing, every one of them in this
13 hidden apartment of theirs? For they said, The Lord doth not
see. The Lord hath forsaken this land. Then he said to me,
thou shalt see still greater transgressions which they are com-
14 mitting. Then he led me to the vestibule of the gate of the
house of the Lord facing the north, and behold here were wo-
15 men seated, singing mournful ditties to Thammuz. And he
said to me, Son of man, hast thou seen? Thou shalt see still
16 worse devices than these. Then he led me into the inner court
of the house of the Lord ; and at the vestibule of the temple of
the Lord, between the ailams and the altar, were about twenty
men ; their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces
the direct contrary- way; and tliey were worshipping the sun.
17 And he said to me. Hast thou seen ? Son of man. Is it a light
thing for the house of Juda to commit the transgressions, which
they have committed here ? Because they have filled the land
with iniquity, and lo 1 they are as it were insulting me to my
i^*^ Here something seems to be wanting. I apprehend, it was
the people sacrificing to idols on the house tops.
Ch. IX. χ. EZEKIEL.
18 face ; therefore I will deal with them with wrath. Mine eye
shall not spare, nor will I have compassion.
IX. Then in my hearing he cried with a loud voice and said,
The punishment of this city is at hand, and every one hath in
2 his hand the instruments of the destruction. Thereupon behold
there came from the way of the high gate, which faceth the
north, six men, every one with his battle axe in his hand; and
in the midst of them a man clothed in a long robe and a girdle
3 of sapphire about his loins. And when they came close to the
brazen altar, the glory of the God of Israel which was upon
the cherubims ascended from them and came to the open part
of the house and called the man who was clothed with the long
robe and who had a girdle about his loins, and said to him. Go
through the midst of Jerusalem and put a mark on the forehead
of those men who are sighing and sorrowing for all the trans-
gressions which are committed among them; and to the others
he said in my hearing. Go ye after him into the city and smite
6 and spare not with your eyes nor shew compassion. Destroy
utterly old men and young, virgins and infants and married
women; but go not near any of those who have the mark on
them. Begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the men
7 the elders who were in the house. And he said to them, Defile
this house and fill the ways with dead as you are going out
8 and continue the slaughter. And while they were slaying them
I fell on my face and cried aloud and said, Ah! Lord! art thou
utterly destroying the remnant of Israel by pouring out thy
9 wrath on Jerusalem? Whereupon he said to me, The iniquity
of the house of Israel and Juda is exceeding great. Because
the land is filled with many peoples and the city is filled with
iniquity and impurity — and because they said, the Lord hath
10 forsaken this land; the Lord doth not see; therefore mine eye
shall not spare nor will I have compassion. I have requited
11 their ways upon their heads. Then, lo! the man who was cloth-
ed with the long robe and girded about the loins with the girdle
came and made report, saying, I have done as thou orderedst
X. me. Thereupon I looked, and behold above the firmament
which was over the head of the cherubims, there was a resem-
Gh. Χ. EZEKIEL.
2 blance of a throne above them like a sapphire stone.*- And
he said to the man who was clothed with the long robe, Go in
between the wheels which are under the cherubims and fill
thy hands with coals of fire from the midst of the cherubims
and scatter them over the city. So in my sight he went in,
3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house as a
4 man goeth in, and the cloud filled the inner court. And the
glory of the Lord had removed from the cherubims to the open
part of the house and the cloud filled the house and the court
5' was filled Avith the splendour of the glory of the Lord: and the
sound of the wings of the cherubims was heard to the outer
6 court like the voice of God Saddai speaking. And when he
had given orders to the man clothed with the holy robe, say-
ing, Take fire from the midst of the wheels from between the
7 cherubims and he had gone in and stood near the wheels, one
stretched out his hand into the midst of the fire, which was be-
tween the cherubims and took and put it into the hands of
him who was clothed with the holy robe and he took it and
8 went out. Now I saw that the cherubims had the likeness of
9 men's hands under their wings. I looked also and lo! four
wheels stood close to the cherubims, one wheel close to each
cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like the appear-
10 ance of a carbuncle stone. And as for their appearance, the
four had one and the same likeness, as if there was a wheel
11 within a wheel. When they ran, they ran on their four sections.
12 They altered not their position when they ran, for which way
soever the foremost looked, they ran and altered not their
13 position when they ran. Now their backs and their hands
and their Λvings and the wheels were full of eyes all around
15 the four wheels. And in my hearing these wheels were call-
ed Gelgel. And the cherubims were the same living being
16 which 1 saw by the river Chobar. And when the cheru-
bims marched on, the wheels ran and kept close to them;
and when the cherubims lifted up their wings and were borne
aloft from the earth, their wheels altered not their position.
17 When those stood these stood; and when those mounted up
* Here also some words seem to be wanting, which pointed out
him Avho sat on thg throne.
Ch. XL EZEKIEL.
these mounted up with them, for there was a breath of life in
18 them. Then the glory of the Lord went out from the house
19 and mounted up upon the cherubims; and the cherubims rais-
ed their wings and mounted up from the eaith in my sight.
When they went out the wheels were close by them. And
they stopped at the vestibule of the gate of the house of the
Lord which was over against the house and the glory of the
20 God of Israel was above over them. This was the living being
which I saAV under the God of Israel at the river Chobar, and
21 I knew that it was the cherubims. Every one had four faces,
and every one had eight wings, and the likeness of mens*
22 hands under their wings. And as for the likeness of their faces,
these were, the same faces which I saw under the glory of the
God of Israel at the river Chobar and they marched every one
XI. straight forward. Then a blast of wind took me up
and brought me to the gate of the house of the Lord which
was directly in front and which faced the east. And behold at
the vestibule of the gate about five and twenty men! And I saw
in the midst of them Jechonias the son of Ezer and Phaltias the
2 son of Banaias, the leaders of the people. And the Lord said
to me, son of man, these are the men who devise vanities and
who give bad advice in the city. Who say. Are not the houses
3 lately rebuilt? This is the cauldron, but we are the flesh.
4 Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, Son of man.
5 Thereupon the spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me,
Say, Thus saith the Lord, Thus have you spoken, Ο house of
Israel, for I know the counsels of your mind: you have mul-
6 tiplied your dead in this city, and filled the highways with the
7 slain: therefore thus saith the Lord, your dead men whom you
have slain in the midst of it, they are the flesh and it is the
cauldron. As for you I will drag you out of the midst of it.
You are afraid of the sword, therefore I will bring a sword
9 against you, saith the Lord, and drag you out of the midst of
it and deliver you into the hands of strangers and execute judg-
10 ment upon you. By the sword you shall fall. On the mountain
of Israel I will judge you; and you shall know that I am the
Lord.
13 And it came to pass while I was prophesying that Phal-
tias the son of Banaias died, Avhereupon I fell on my face and
VOL. III. L 1
Ch. XII. EZEKIEL.
cried with a loud voice and said, Alas ! Alas ! Ο Lord, art thou
14 making an utter end of the remnant of Israel? Upon which a
15 word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, an end was
put to thy brethren and to the men of thy captivity and to all
the house of Israel, to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,
16 Away with you far from the Lord : to us this land is given for
an inheritance. Therefore say. Thus saith the Lord, I will
drive these away to the nations and scatter them to every land.
But I will be to those a little sanctuary in all the countries to
17 which they have come. Therefore say. Thus saith the Lord,
I will take those in from among the nations and collect them
le from the countries in which I have dispersed them and
give them the land of Israel and they shall come hither and re-
move all its abominations and all its iniquities out of it; and I
19 will give them another heart and put a new spirit in them; and
I will take a\vay the stony heart out of their flesh and give
them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and
20 keep my judgments and execute them. And they shall be my
21 people and I will be their God. But as the heart of these was
entirely devoted to their abominations and their iniquities, I
have requited their ways upon their heads, saith the Lord.
22 Then the cherubims raised their wings and the wheels were
close by them and the glory of the God of Israel was above
23 over them. And the glory of the Lord ascended up out of the
midst of the city and halted on the mountain which was over
24 against the city. And a blast of wind took me up and brought
me to^ the land of the Chaldeans, to the captivity, in a vision, by
the spirit of God. And I went up on account of the vision
Λvhich I saw and spoke to all the captivity all the things which
the Lord had shewn me.
XII. V. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of these unrighteous
men, who have eyes to see but do not see; and have ears to
3 hear, but do not hear. Because they are a rebellious house, do
thou therefore, son of man, provide thyself utensils for a day
of captivity, in their sight. And thou shalt be carried captive
from this place of thine to another place, in their sight, that they
Ch. ΧΠ. EZEKIEL.
4 may see. Because they are a rebellious house, therefore thou
shalt cany out thy utensils, the utensils for a day of captivity,
before their eyes. And thou shalt go out in the evening in their
5 sight, as a captive goeth out. Make for thyself a breach in the
6 wall and thou shalt go out through that, in their sight. Thou
shalt be taken up upon shoulders and shalt go out in a secret
manner. Thou shalt cover thy face and not see the ground,
for I have made thee a sign for the house of Israel.
7 So Λvhen I had done according to all that he had com-
manded me ; and had carried out utensils for a day of cap-
tivity, and made in the evening a breach for myself in the
wall, and had gone out in a concealed manner, being taken
8 up upon shoulders in their sight ; a word of the Lord came
9 to me in the morning, saying, Son of man, Did not the house
of Israel, that rebellious house, say to thee, What art thou
10 doing ? Say respecting them, Thus saith the Lord, Lord —
ΛVith respect to him who is the chief, and the ruler in Jeru-
salem, even to all the house of Israel, who are among them
11 say, I am acting signs. As I have done, so shall it be with
12 them. They shall go into banishment and captivity. And the
chief in the midst of them shall be carried upon shoulders.
He will go out in a secret manner through the wall ; and a
breach will be made for him to go out through it. *He will
cover his face that he may not be seen and he himself shall
13 not see the ground. But I \\'ύ\ spread my net over him and
he shall be caught in my enclosure. And I will bring him to
Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans ; but he shall not see
14 it and he shall die there. And all his helpers about him, and
all them who assist bim, I will scatter to every wmd and make
15 bare a sword to pursue them : and they shall know that I am
the Lord, when I have dispersed them among the nations.
16 For I will disperse them through the countries and leave a
few of them from the sword, and from famine, and from pes-
tilence, that they may declare all their iniquities among the
nations whither they go. And they shall know that I am the
Lord. —
17 Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man,
18 thou shalt eat thy bread with sorrow and drink water Avhh
19 tribulation and aiRiction, and thou shalt say respecting the
Ch. XIII. EZEKIEL.
people of that land, Thus saith the Lord to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem in the land of Israel, They shall eat their loaves
with scantiness, and drink water with astonishment, that the
land may be wasted with the fulness thereof ; for all its inhabi-
20 tants are in a course of impiety ; and their cities which are
inhabited shall be laid waste and the land shall be a desolation
and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
21 Again a word of the Lord came to me saying, Son of man,
22 what proverb is this which you have concerning Israel, say-
23 ing, The days are far oiF. Vision is lost. Therefore say to
them, Thus saith the Lord, I will change this parable ; and
the house of Israel shall no more use it ; for thou shalt say to
24 them, The days are at hand and the word of every vision. For
there shall no more be a false vision of any sort, or a flattering
25 diviner among the children of Israel ; for I the Lord will
speak my words — I will speak and perform, and no more put
off to a distant time ; for in these your days, Ο rebellious
house, I will speak a word and perform it, saith the Lord.
26 Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of
27 man, behold the house of Israel, that rebellious house, speak
saying, The vision which this man seeth is for many days ;
28 and for times far distant he prophesieth ; therefore say unto
them, Thus saith the Lord, None of my words which I speak
shall any more be prolonged. I will speak and I will perform
saith the Lord.
XIII. VI. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel and thou
3 shalt prophesy and say to them. Hear a word of the Lord,
Thus saith the Lord, Woe to the prophets who prophesy from
4 their own hearts and see nothing. Like foxes among ruins
5 thy prophets, Ο Israel, stood not for strength. When flocks
were collected against the house of Israel, they who say, " In
6 the day of the Lord," stood not up. They are seers of lies
they are prophesiers of vanities — they say. The Lord saith,
Though the Lord did not send them : and in order to confirm
7 a word they began with, " Have you not seen a false vision
8 and spoken false prophesies," now therefore say. Thus saith
the Lord, Because your words are false and your prophe-
Ch. XIII. EZEKIEL.
sies vain ; therefore behold I am against you, saith the Lord;
9 And I will stretch forth my hand against these prophets, who
see falsehoods and prophesy vanities: they shall not be in the
school of my people nor enrolled in the enrollment of the house
of Israel; nor shall they enter into the land of Israel and they
10 shall know that I am the Lord. Because they have led my peo-
ple astray, saying "Peace" when there was no peace. And
11 when one buildeth a wall they anoint it; it shall fall. Say to
these anointers, It shall fall. For there shall be an overwhelm-
ing rain, and I will send hail stones against-their buttresses;
and they shall fall; and a tempestuous wind; and it shall be bro-
12 ken down. Now when the wall is fallen, will they not say to
you, "Where is the anointing with which you anointed it?'*
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord, I will cause a furious tempest
to break it down; and there shall be an overwhelming rain in
mine anger; And I will bring the hail stones against it with fury
14 for destruction; and demolish the wall which you anointed;
and it shall fall: and lay it flat on the ground and its foundations
shall be discovered; and when it shall fall, you shall be consum-
ed with rebukes; and you shall know that I am the Lord.
15 When I accomplish my wrath on the Avail, and on them who
anoint it; it shall fall. I have indeed said to you, the wall is no
16 more, nor do they exist who anointed it, namely, the prophets
of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and who see
peace for her when there is no peace, saith the Lord.
17 Now as for thee son of man siet thy face also against the
daughters of thy people who prophesy from their own heart;
and prophesy against them and say,
18 Thus saith the Lord, Woe to those women who sew pil-
lows under every elbow; and make coverings for every head of
every age, to lead souls astray. The souls of my people have
19 been turned out of the way. They have indeed inveigled souls
and profaned me to my people, for a handful of barley and
for pieces of bread, to kill souls which should not die; and to
preserve souls alive which ought not to live, by your oracling
20 to the people who hearken to vain oracles. Therefore thus saith
the Lord, Lord, Behold I am against your pillows on which
you whirl souls about; and I will tear them from your arms and
dismiss the souls — ^those souls Avhich you are whirling about
Ch. XIV. EZEKIEL.
21 for dispersion: and I will tear in pieces your coverings and de-
liver my people out of your hand, and they shall no more be
in your hands to be whirled about. And ye shall know that I
22 am the Lord. Because you turned aside the heart of the righte-
ous, whom I turned not aside, in order that you might strength-
en the hands of a transgressor that he should by no means
23 turn from his evil way and live; therefore you shall no more
see falsities, nor shall you any more utter divinations; for I will
deliver my people out of your hand and you shall know that I
am the Lord.
XIV. VII. WHEN some of the elders, principal men of the
people of Israel, had come to me and were sitting before me a
word of the Lord came to me, saying,
3 Son of man, these men have given their imaginations the
rule over their hearts, though they placed before their eyes the
punishment of their transgressions. Shall I, being consulted,
4 return them an answer? Therefore speak to them, and thou
shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord, Be the man who he
may of the house of Israel, who giveth his imagination the
rule over his understanding, when he hath set before his eyes the
punishment of his iniquity, and cometh to a prophet: I the Lord
will answer him by the things with which his mind is entangled,
5 that he may lead the house of Israel astray, according to their
hearts which are alienated from me by their desires. Say there-
6 fore to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Lord, reform
and turn from your evil devices, and from all your acts of im-
7 piety; and turn your faces about. For be the man who he may
of the house of Israel, or of the proselytes who have sojourned
with Israel, who shall separate himself from me, and give his
desires the rule over his understanding when he hath set be-
fore his eyes the punishment of his iniquity and shall come to the
prophet that he may inquire of me; I the Lord will answer him
8 by that with \vhich he is entangled; and I will set my face
against that man, and give him up to desolation and de-
struction; and remove him from among my people; and ye
9 shall know that I am the Lord. And with respect to that pro-
phet when he shall have wandered and spoken; I the Lord
have caused that prophet to wander, and I will stretch out my
Ch. XIV. EZEKIEL.
hand against him and destroy him from among my people Is-
10 rael. And they shall bear their iniquity; the incjuirer according
to his guilt, and in like manner the prophet according to his
11 guilt, that the house of Israel may no more be led astray from
me, and that they may no more be polluted with their trans-
gressions: so they shall be my people and I will be their God,
saith tlie Lord.
12 Again a word of the Lord came to me saying, Son of man,
13 when a country transgresseth against me, so as to incur ruin;
and I stretch out my hand against it; and break the staff of
bread, and send against it famine, and destroy out of it both
14 man and beast; should there be in it three such men as these
Noe, Daniel and Job: They for their righteousness shall be
15 saved, saith the Lord. Or if I send wild beasts against that
land and punish it, and it become a desolation not to be travel-
16 led by reason of the wild beasts; and there be in it three such
as those; As I live, saith the Lord neither sons nor daughters
shall be saved; none but they only shall escape, and the land
17 shall be for destruction. Or if I bring a sword against that
land, and say, sword, pass thou through this land, that I may
18 cut off from it man and beast; should there be in it three such
men as those; As I live saith the Lord, they shall not deliver
19 sons nor daughters; they and they only shall be saved. Or if I
send a pestilence against that land, and pour out my wrath up-
on it with slaughter, with intent to destroy out of it man and
20 beast, and Noe, Daniel and Job be therein; As I live, saith the
Lord, neither sons nor daughters shall be left: they for their
21 righteousness shall deliver only their own souls. Yet thus
saith the Lord, Though I send these my four severe judgments
sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence, against Jeru-
22 salem to destroy out of it man and beast, still, behold some are
left in it, the saved of it, who are leading out of it sons and daugh-
ters; behold they are coming out to you and you shall see their
ways and their desires, and be sorry for the evils which they
have brought on Jerusalem — for all the evils which they have
23 brought upon it. And they will comfort you, for you will see
their ways and their desires; and you will know that I have not
without cause done all those things which I have done to it,
saith the Lord.
Ch. XV. XVI. EZEKIEL.
XV. VIII. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, &ay-
2 ing, Son of man, Why should the wood of the grape vine be
distinguished from the wood of all the branchy trees which are
3 among the trees of the forest? Can men use the wood of it for
any kind of workmanship? Can they make a pin of it to hang
4 thereon any utensil? Is it not in a peculiar manner doomed to
be consumed by fire? Every year the fire consumeth what is
lopped from it. And if a bit of it is left, is it fit for any kind of
5 workmanship ? Even when entire it will be unfit for any
work : how then, when fire hath burned it to a brand, can it
6 serve for any work? Say therefore. Thus saith the Lord,
Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest,
which I have doomed to be destroyed by fire, so have I
7 doomed the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will set my face
against them. When they escape out of one fire another shall
devour them. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when
8 I set my face against them. And I will make the land a deso-
lation for their apostacy, saith the Lord.
XVI. Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man
J 3 testify against Jerusalem her iniquities, and thou shalt say,
Thus saith the Lord to Jerusalem, Thy root and thy pedigree
is from the land of Chanaan. Thy father was an Amorite and
4 thy mother a Chettite, and this is the history of thy birth — on
the day tliou wast born thy navel was not tied nor wert thou
washed with water nor sprinkled with salt; nor wert thou
5 wrapped up in swaddling bands. But mine eye which was
over thee did not spare to do for thee all these things — to
compassionate thee. When thou wast cast out into the open
6 field for thine ill shape, on the day thou wast born; I passed
by thee and saw thee polluted with thy blood and said to thee,
7 From thy blood there is life. Be multiplied like the grass of
the field; I have betrothed thee. So thou didst increase and
grow great and enter the class of chief cities. Thy breasts
were fashioned and thy locks flowing. But thou wast naked
8 and exposed to shame. Then I passed by thee and beheld
thee and lo ! thou wast of a marriageable age. So I spread my
skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness; and sware to thee
9 and entered into covenant with thee, saith the Lord. And
when thou becamest mine I washed thee with water, and
Ch. XVI. EZEKIEL.
cleansed away thy blood from thee and anointed thee with oil;
10 And I clothed thee with embroidery and shod thee with pur-
ple sandals and girded thee with a cotton zone and threw
1 1 around thee a mantle of tissue. And I decked thee with orna-
ments, and put bracelets round thy Λvrists and a chain round
12 thy neck, and gave thee a jewel for thy nose and ear-rings for
13 thine ears, and a crown of exquisite beauty for thy head. So
thou wast adorned with gold and silver, and thy raiment was
of cotton, tissue and embroidery; and thy food was fine flour,
14 oil and honey. And thou becamest exceeding beautiful, and thy
fame spread among the nations for thy beauty. Because it was
perfect by reason of the comeliness and the elegance with
15 which I adorned thee, saith the Lord; thou wast vain of thy
beauty and became a harlot because of thy renown: and didst
16 pour out thy fornications upon every passenger. Nay thou
didst take some of thy garments and make for thyself idols of
needle work; and didst commit gross fornication on them.
Though thou shouldst not have gone in; nor should such a
17 thing be done, thou didst take the vessels, which were thy
boast, made of my gold and of my silver, some of those which
I gave thee; and didst make for thyself male images and com-
18 mit fornication with them. Thou didst take also thine em-
broidered raiment and clothe them and didst set mine oil and
19 mine incense before them. My bread also which I gave thee
— the fine flour, oil and honey with which I fed thee, these
20 thou didst set before them for a sweet smelling savour. Nay, it
came to pass, saith the Lord, That thou didst take thy sons
and thy daughters whom thou hadst born and didst sacrifice
21 these to them to be devoured. As if it had been a small matter
to commit fornication, thou didst slay thy children and offer
them up, making them expiatory sacrifices to those images,
22 (this exceeded all thy fornication) and didst not remember thy
youtli when thou wast naked and bare, when though polluted
23 with thy blood thou didst live. Nay after all these acts of ini-
24 quity, saith the Lord, thou didst moreover build for thyself a
brothel; and erect for thyself a place of prostitution in every
25 street; at the head of every street thou didst build thy brothels,
and sacrifice thy beauty and prostitute thyself to every comer,
26 and multiply thine acts of whoredom. Wlien thou hadst com-
voL. III. Μ m
Ch. XVI. EZEKIEL.
•mitted fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours and lust-
ful paramours; and hadst done this frequently to provoke me
27 to wrath, though I stretched forth my hand against thee, and
deprived thee of thy dues and delivered thee up to them who
hate thee — to the daughters of the Philistines, who turned thee
28 out of that way in which thou wast committing iniquity; yet
thou wentest a whoring among the daughters of Assur; and
even thus wast not satisfied. So having committed whoredom
29 and not being satiated thou didst multiply thy covenants with
the land of the Chaldees and even with these thou wast not
30 satisfied. How can I dispose of thy daughter? saith the Lord
seeing thou hast committed all these acts of an abandoned wo-
man? And hast trebled thy fornication by thy daughters?
31 Having built a brothel at the head of every way, and erected
a place of prostitution in every street, wast thou like a harlot
32 collecting hire? Was there ever an adulterous woman like thee
receiving gifts from her husband and giving rewards to her
33 gallants? For thou hast given rewards to all thy lovers, and
34 loaded them with gifts to come to thee from all around. So
there was in thee a depravity beyond other women, both in
thy whoredom and with regard to them who committed lewd-
ness with thee. Thy giving gifts and no rewards being given
35 thee are evidences of thy depravity. Therefore, hear Ο harlot,
36 a word of the Lord, thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast
squandered thy money, therefore thy scandalous fornication
shall be exposed before thy lovers; but for all thy wicked de-
37 sires and for the blood of thy children whom thou hast sacri-
ficed to them — for this behold I will assemble all thy lovers
Λvith whom thou hast had connexion, both all whom thou hast
loved and all whom thou hatedst, and I will gather against thee
them from all around; and lay open thy wickedness before
38 them, that they may see all thy shame. And I will punish thee
with the punishment of an adulteress, and involve thee in the
39 blood of wrath and jealousy; and deliver thee up into their
hands. And they shall demolish thy brothel, and pull down
thy place of prostitution, and strip thee of thy clothing and
seize thy fair jewels ; and when they shall have left thee naked
40 and exposed to shame, then crowds shall be brought against
thee, who shall stone thee with stones and hack thee with their
Ch. XVI. EZEKIEL.
41 swords; and they shall burn thy houses with fire, and execute
vengeance on thee in the sight of many women. So will I
42 turn thee from whoredom and no more give thee gifts. Then
I will cause my wrath against thee to abate, and my jealousy
shall be removed from thee, and I will be quiet and no more
43 care for thee. Because thou hast not remembered thy youth
and hast grieved me with all these things; therefore behold I
have requited thy ways on thy head, saith the Lord. Thou
44 indeed hast so added impiety to all thy transgressions that all
these things have occasioned the parable which people use
against thee, saying, " As was the fnother so is the daughter.'''
45 Thou art indeed a very daughter of thy mother who aban-
doned her husband and her children: and the sisters of thy
brothers are they who abandoned their husbands and their
children. Your mother was a Chettite and your father an
46 Amorite, your eldest sister is Samaria — she and her daughters
who live on thy left; and your youngest sister who liveth on
47 thy right is Sodom with her daughters. But thou hast not
Avalked even in their ways, nor done according to their trans-
gressions in a small degree. Thou hast surpassed them in all
48 thy Avays. As I live, saith the Lord, Sodom herself and her
daughters did not do as thou and thy daughters have done.
49 But this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom — Pride.
Through fulness of bread and prosperity she and her daugh-
ters grew wanton. There was this also in her and her daugh-
50 ters that they did not assist the distressed and the needy; but
were haughty and committed iniquities in my sight; therefore
51 I destroyed them. In my view Samaria also did not commit
half thy crimes. Thou indeed hast multiplied thine iniquities
more than they, and justified thy sisters by all thine iniqui-
52 ties which thou hast committed. Thou therefore shalt bear thy
punishment. Inasmuch as thou hast corrupted thy sisters by
thy sins, which thou hast committed in a more aggravated de-
gree than they, and made them righteous in comparison of
thee; be thou therefore confounded and bear thy dishonour,
53 for having justified thy sisters. When I turnback their apos-
tacies — the apostacy of Sodom and her daughters, and turn
back the apostacy of Samaria and her daughters, I will turn
54 back also thine apostacy in the midst of them; that thou maysl
Ch. XVII. EZEKIEL.
bear thy punishment and be dishonoured for all that thou hast
55 done to provoke me to anger. And when thy sister Sodom
and her daughters shall be restored to their former state then
thou and thy daughters shall be restored to your former state.
56 Now was not thy sister Sodom a by word in thy mouth in the
57 days of thy pride, before thy wickedness was discovered ; in
the same manner as thou art now the scoff of the daughters of
Syria and of all around her and of all the daughters of the
58 foreign tribes around thee? Thou hast borne thy wickedness
59 and thy transgressions, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord,
I will deal with thee as thou hast done. As thou hast slighted
60 these things that thou mightest transgress my covenant, when
I remember my covenant made with thee in the days of thy
61 youth and re-establish for thee an everlasting covenant; then
thou wilt recollect thy way and be ashamed, when thou hast
again received thy sisters — the elder and the younger. For I
will give them to thee to be part of thy family, but not by thy
62 covenant. And I Avill establish my covenant with thee ; and
63 thou shalt know that I am the Lord, that thou mayst remem-
ber and be ashamed, and never more be able to open thy
mouth, because of thy confusion when I make a complete atone-
ment for thee according to all that thou hast done, saith the
Lord.
XVII. IX. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, saying.
Son of man, relate a fable and speak a parable to the house
3 of Israel and thou shalt say. Thus saith the Lord, There was
a great eagle with large wings, rapid in its motion and com-
pletely furnished with talons : and it winged its way to Liba-
4 nus, and took hold of its choicest cedar; and cropped the
tops of the tender branch and brought them to the land of
5 Chanaan, and in a walled city they were deposited. Then he
took a seedling of the land, and planted it in a field by much
6 water, and ordered it to be taken care of. And it sprang up
and became a vine weak and small, so that its branches could
be seen only by them near it. But it had roots underneath it,
so it grew to be a vine, and put forth shoots and extended
its tendrils.
7 And there was another eagle with large wings and many
Ch. XVII. EZEKIEL.
talons : and lo ! this vine warped towards him, and its roots
were towards him and it shot out its branches for him, that
he might water it together with the shoot of its own planting,
8 which being in a good soil by much water grew luxuriantly,
so as to blossom and bear fruit, and become a great vine. —
9 Therefore say. Thus saith the Lord, Shall it prosper? Shall
not the roots of this tender shoot and its fruit be blasted ?
Yes; all its former shoots shall wither ; so that it will not re-
quire a strong arm nor much people to pull it up by its roots.
Though behold it is luxuriant, shall it prosper — shall it not
wither at the first touch of a blasting wind ? Both it and its
sprouting shoot shall be withered.
11 Moreover a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of
man say now to this rebellious house, Do you not know the
12 meaning of this ? Say, When the king of Babylon hath come
to Jerusalem, and shall take the king thereof and the chiefs
thereof, and hath caused them to be brought to him to Baby-
13 Ion; and shall take one of the royal seed and make a covenant
with him, and shall lay him under an oath and comprehend
14 the generals of the land, that it shall be a weak kingdom and
never be independent — that he will keep this covenant with
15 him and that it shall stand. Now should he revolt from him
so as to send his ambassadors to Egypt, that it may furnish
him with horses and a great army, shall he prosper ? Shall
he who is perfidious escape ? And shall he who breaketh a
16 covenant be delivered ? As I live saith the Lord, in the place
where the king liveth, who made him king ; even with him
in Babylon shall he die who hath dishonoured my oath and
17 broken my covenant : and neither with a great army nor \vith
much people, shall Pharao support him in the war, when ram-
parts are a raising, and towers a building to destroy lives. —
18 As he hath dishonoured an oath, by breaking a covenant,
(\vhen lo ! he had given his hand) and hath done all these
19 things to him, he shall not escape. Therefore say, As I live
saith the Lord, The oath which he hath dishonoured, and
the covenant which he hath broken, even this I will requite
20 upon his head. And I will spread my net for him and he shall
21 be taken in my enclosure. In every engagem.ent his men shall
fall by the sword ; and them who are left I will scatter to
Ch. XVllI. EZEKIEL.
every wind; and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken.
22 For thus saith the Lord,
I will myself take one of the choicest cedars from a sum-
mit ; (their hearts I will nip) and I will plant it on a lofty
23 mountain ; I will cause it to be suspended on a lofty moun-
tain of Israel ; and I will plant it, and it shall blossom and bear
fruit, and become a great cedar ; and under it shall rest every
bird, even all the winged tribe shall repose in its shade : its
24 branches shall be renewed : and all the trees of the plain shall
know that I am the Lord who bringeth down the lofty tree,
and exalteth the tree which is low, and who causeth the green
tree to wither, and the withered tree to flourish. I the Lord
have spoken and I will perform.
XVIIL X. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, say-
ing, Son of man why have you this proverb among the chil-
dren of Israel, saying, " The fathers have eaten a sour grape
3 and the childrens' teeth are set on edge." As I live saith
the Lord, This parable shall no more be used by Israel, for
4 all souls are mine. As the soul of the father so also the soul
5 of the son is mine. The soul that sinneth it shall die. But
the man who shall be just, who executeth judgment and jus-
6 tice, who eateth not upon the mountains, nor lifteth up his
eyes to the desires of the house of Israel, and defileth not his
neighbour's wife, nor approacheth a woman in a state of sepa-
7 ration ; who shall oppress no man ; shall restore the pledge
of a debtor and not be guilty of rapine ; who shall deal out
8 his bread to the hungry, and clothe the naked, and not lend
his money on interest, nor take usury, and shall turn away
his hand from injustice, and execute righteous judgment be-
9 tween man and man, and hath walked in my statutes, and
kept my judgments to do them. Such a one is righteous. —
He shall live, saith the Lord.
10 But if he beget a profligate son, a shedder of blood and
1 1 one who committeth sins, who hath not walked in the way of
his righteous father but hath eaten on the mountains and de-
12 filed his neighbour's wife; hath oppressed the poor and needy,
and been guilty of rapine; hath not restored a pledge and hath
13 lifted up his eyes to the idols; hath done injustice, lent on in-
Ch. XVIII. EZEKIEL.
terest and taken usury. He shall not live. He hath committed
all these iniquities. He shall surely die. His blood shall be
14 lipon him. But if he beget a son who hath seen all the sms
which his father committed and hath been struck with awe
15 and not done the like — hath not eaten upon the mountains,
nor fixed his eyes on the desires of the house of Israel; nor de-
filed his neighbour's wife, nor oppressed any man, nor taken a
pledge; nor been guilty of rapine — hath dealt out his bread to
17 the hungry and clothed the naked, and turned away his hand
from injustice; hath neither lent on interest nor taken usury;
18 hath practised justice and walked in my statutes; he shall
not die for the iniquities of his father. He shall live. But as
for his father, if he be guilty of rapine and oppression, he
hath done wrong in the midst of my people, and for his iniqui-
19 ties he shall die. Now should you say. Why hath not the son
borne the iniquity of his father? Because the son hath practis-
ed justice and mercy; hath kept all my statutes and done them,
20 he shall live. But the soul which sinneth shall die. The son
shall not bear the iniquity of his father; nor shall the father
bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righte-
ous shall be upon himself, and upon the iniquitous shall be his
21 iniquity. But if the unrighteous man will turn from all the un-
righteous acts which he hath done, and will keep all my com-
mandments, and practise righteousness and mercy; he shall
22 surely live and not die. None of the transgressions which he
committed shall be remembered; for the righteousness which
23 he hath exercised, he shall live. Can I (saith the Lord) so
much desire the death of the unrighteous, as I do that he
24 should turn from his evil way and live? But when a righteous
man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth ini-
quity according to all the iniquities Avhich the wicked hatl^
done, none of the righteous acts which he hath done shall be
remembered. For the sins which he hath committed, even for
25 these he shall die. Yet you have said. The way of the Lord is
not straight. Hear now, all ye house of Israel, Is not my ivav
26 straight? Is it not your way which is not straight? Wlien the
righteousturnethfromhisrighteousnessandcommittethacrime,
for the crime he committeth he should die — for it lie shall
27 die. And when a wicked man turneth from his wickedness
which he committed, and shall praetise justice and righteous-
Ch. XIX. EZEKIEL.
28 ness; he hath saved his soul. He hath turned away from all his
wicked acts which he committed; he shall surely live; he shall
29 not die. Yet the house of Israel say, The way of the Lord is
not straight. Is not my way straight, Ο house of Israel? Is it
30 not your way which is not straight? I will judge you, saiththe
Lord, Ο house of Israel, every one according to his way. Be
converted and turn from all your acts of wickedness, and they
31 shall not bring upon you the punishment of iniquity. Cast away
from you all your impious acts; which you have impiously com-
mitted against me; and make yourselves a new heart and a
new spirit: now why do you die, Ο house of Israel, since I de-
sire not the death of him who dieth? saith the Lord.
XIX. Now take thou up a lamentation for the prince of Israel
2 and thou shalt say, What was thy mother? She was a lioness
among lions. In the midst of lions she multiplied her young.
3 And one of her young lions sallied forth; he became a lion and
4 learned to prowl. He devoured men and the nations heard of
him; in their trap he was taken and carried in a cage to the land
5 of Egypt. When she saw that her main support was removed
from her, was lost; she took another of her young lions and
6 made him lion. And he roamed about among lions. He be-
7 came a lion and learned to seize prey. He devoured men and
prowled with fierceness, and made their cities a desolation and
laid waste the land, and the fulness thereof by the sound of his
8 roaring. Then the nations set upon him from the countries
around: they spread their nets for him; in their trap he was ta-
9 ken. So they chained him and in a cage he came to the king
of Babylon, who put him in prison that his voice should not
10 be heard on the mountains of Israel. Thy mother was like a
vine or a flowery pomegranate planted by water. It was fruit-
11 ful and full of buds by being plentifully watered. And it be-
came a sceptre for them who bear rule overtribes, and became
distinguished for its greatness among other stocks, and was
12 conscious of its greatness by the multitude of its branches. But
it is broken in wrath and thrown on the ground; and a burn-
ing wind hath blasted its choice branches. Vengeance hath
been taken on them: and the rod of its strength is withered; a
13 fire hath consumed it. And now when they had planted it in a
14 desert, in a land without water, a fire hath issued forth from a
rod of her choice shoots, and consumed her and she hath no
Ch. XX. EZEKIEL.
more in her a sceptre of power. The tribe is become a parable
in the song of Λνοε and shall be for a subject of lamentation.
??XX. X. AND it came to pass in the seventh year, on the fifth
month and tenth day of the month, that some of the elders of
Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and while they were sitting
ο before me a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man
speak to the elders of the house of Israel and thou shalt say to
them, Thus saith the Lord, Are you come to inquire of me? As
4 I live, saith the Lord, I will not answer you; I will not, son of
man, with avengement avenge them. Testify against them the
5 iniquities of their fathers and thou shalt say to them. Thus
saith the Lord, from the day I chose the house of Israel; and
Avas made known to the seed of the house of Jacob; and acknow-
ledged by them in the land of Egypt; when I took hold of
6 them with my hand, saying, I the Lord am your God, — on the
very day Λvhen I took hold of them with my hand to bring them
out of the land of Egypt into the land which I had prepared for
them — a land flowing with milk and honey — it is the honey-
7 comb of the whole earth; though I said to them let every one
put away the abominations of his eyes and with the devices of
Egypt be not polluted, I the Lord am your God; yet they
8 apostatized from me and would not hearken to me. They did
not cast away the abominations of their eyes, nor did they ut-
terly forsake the devices of Egypt; therefore I spoke of pour-
ing out my wrath on them — of spending mine indignation on
9 them in the midst of Egypt: but that my name might not be
altogether profaned in the sight of the nations among whom
they were, I did in their sight [those miracles] by which I
was made known to them, in order to bring them out of the
land of Egypt.
10 So I led them into the wilderness; and gave them my sta-
11 tutes and made known to them my rules of rectitude, which if
12 a man practise he shall live thereby; 1 gave them also my sab-
baths, to be a sign between me and them; that they might
13 know that I the Lord am their sanctifier. And I said to the
house of Israel in the wilderness, "Walk in my statutes," but
they walked not. They rejected my rules of rectitude, which
if a man practise he shall live by them; and they profaned my
VOL. III. .V η
Ch. XX. EZEKIEL.
sabbaths exceedingly: whereupon I spoke of pouring out my
wrath on them in the wilderness, to destroy them utterly:
14 But I acted so that my name should not be altogether profaned in
the sight of the nations, before whose eyes I had brought them
15 out: and I lifted up my hand against them in the wilderness thus
far — that I would not bring them into the land which I had
given them, (a land flowing with milk and honey: it is the ho-
16 ney comb of the whole earth) because they had rejected my
rules of rectitude, and had not walked in my statutes ; but
profaned my sabbaths, and had gone after the desires of their
17 own heart. But mine eye had compassion on them so as not to
blot them out entirely; so I did not bring them to utter destruc-
tion in the wilderness.
1 8 Then I said to their children in the wildemess, walk not yc
in the customs of your fathers, nor observe their rules of con-
duct; have no communication with their devices and be not
19 polluted. I the Lord am your God; walk in my statutes, and
20 .keep my rules of rectitude and practise them; and hallow my
sabbaths and let them be a sign between me and you, that you
21 acknowledge that I the Lord am your God. But even these
their children rebelled against me. In my statutes they did not
walk, nor did they keep my rules of rectitude to practise them,
which if a man do he shall live by them; and they profaned
my sabbaths; therefore I spoke of pouring out my wrath upon
them in the wilderness — of accomplishing mine indignation
22 upon them. But I acted so that my name should not be utterly
profaned in the sight of the nations. As I had brought them out
23 before their eyes, I lifted up my hand against them in the wil-
derness that I would scatter them among the nations and dis-
24 perse them through the countries. Because they did not prac-
tise my rules of rectitude, but rejected my statutes ajid profan-
ed my sabbaths, and their eyes were after the desires of their
25 fathers; therefore I gave them statutes not morally good, and
rules of conduct in which they could not entitle themselves to
26 life by them, that I might by their own doctrinal notions pol-
lute them, when I passed through all their first born males in
27 order to remove them out of sight. Therefore, speak to the
house of Israel, s^on of man, and thou shalt say unto them.
Thus saith the Lord, thus far your fathers provoked me to
Ch. XX. EZEKIEL>
wrath, by their transgressions which they committed against
28 me. And when I brought them into the land, which I Ufted
up my hand to give them; they beheld every high hill and eve-
ry shady grove, and there they sacrificed to their gods; and
there set in order the sweet smelling savour; and there pour-
29 ed out their libations. And when I said to them, What is this
Abama, that you go thither, they called its name Abama, which
30 it retaineth to tliis day. Therefore say to the house of Israel,
Thus saith the Lord if you are polluted with the iniquities of
your fathers and you go a whoring after their abominations
3 1 even with the first fruits of your gifts — with those dedications,
with which you are polluted by all your desires even to this
day, shall I return you an answer, Ο house of Israel? As I
32 live, saith the Lord, I will not.answer you. And tliough this
should come into your mind it shall not be as you say, "We
will be like the nations and like the tribes of the earth in wor-
33 shipping stocks and stones." For as I live, saith the Lord,
With a strong hand and an uplifted arm, and with an out pour-
34 ed wrath I will reign over you. And I will bring you out
from among the peoples and gather you from the countries
where you have been scattered with a strong hand and an up-
35 lifted arm and with out poured wrath. And I will bring you
into tlie wilderness of the tribes and there plead with you face
36 to face. As I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of
the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord.
37 And I will make you pass under my rod and bring you in by
38 number, and select from among you the wicked and the apos-
tates; (for out of their captivity I will bring even these, but in-
to the land of Israel they shall not come) and you shall know
that I am the Lord, Lord.
39 Now as for you, Ο house of Israel; Thus saith the Lord,
put away every one his devices, and after that if you will hear-
ken to me, and no more profane my holy name with your gifts
40 and your devices, (for on .my holy mountain, on my lofty
mountain, saith the Lord, there all the house of Israel shall
serve me at last; and there I will expect and there I will accept
your oiferings — even the offerings of your dedications at all
41 your solemnities) with the odour of sweet smelling incense I
will accept you, when I have brought you out from among the
Ch. XXI. EZEKIEL.
peoples, and received you from the countries in which you
have been dispersed, and I will be hallowed among you before
42 the eyes of the peoples, and you shall know that I am the Lord,
when I have brought you to the land of Israel, to the land for
43 which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers; and you
will there remember your ways and your devices with which
you have been polluted, and express contrition for all your
44 acts of wickedness: and acknowledge that I am the Lord,
when I deal thus Λvith you (that my name may not be profan-
ed) according to your evil ways and according to your corrupt
devices, saith the Lord.
45 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying, son of man,
46 set thy face against Thaiman and look towards Daram and pro-
phesy against the forest at the head of Nageb, and thou shalt
say to the forest of Nageb, hear a word of the Lord, Thus
saith the Lord, Lord, behold I am kindling a fire in thee, and
it shall devour in thee every green tree and every dry tree; and
the flame which is kindled shall not be extinguished; and by
it the whole surface from south to north shall be burned up.
48 And all flesh shall know that I the Lord have kindled it. It
shall not be extinguished.
XXI. And when I said, "O Lord, Lord, forbid" they said to
me. Is not this a parable Avhich is spoken? Whereupon a wqrd
of the Lord came to me saying, Therefore prophesy, son of
2 man, set thy face against Jerusalem, and look towards their
holy things, and thou shalt prophesy against the land of Israel
3 and thou shalt say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, be-
hold I am against thee and I will draw my sword out of its
4 sheath, and root out of thee the lawless and unjust. Because I
will root out of thee the lawless and unjust; therefore my sword
shall come forth out of its sheath against all flesh from south
5 to north. And all flesh shall know, that I the Lord have drawn
6 my sword out of its sheath. It shall not return any more. There-
fore, son of man, heave thou convulsive groans, and sigh sor-
7 rowfully before their eyes. And if they say to thee, Why art
thou groaning? Then thou shalt say. Because of the news: for
it is coming: and every heart shall be broken, and all hands en-
feebled, and all flesh and every spirit shall faint; and all thighs
shall be polluted with filth. Behold it is coming! saith the
Lord."
Ch. XXI. EZEKIEL.
8 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of
9 man, prophesy and thou shalt say. Thus saith the Lord, Say,
10 Ο sword, sword be sharp, and full of fury that thou mayst
slaughter; be sharpened that thou mayst glisten; being pre-
11 pared for destruction slay ; set at naught; fell every tree. He
hath now made it ready for his hand to grasp it. The sword is
sharpened. It is ready to be put into the hand of the slayer.
12 Scream, son of man, and raise the mournful cry; for it is come
among my people; it is among all the leaders of Israel. They
shall dwell near the sword. It is among my people. Therefore
give it a clap of applause with thy hand.
13 (p) Because its cause is just, what then? Must the tribe
be cast off"?
14 (J) That shall not be the case saith the Lord, Lord. But,
thou son of man, prophesy and clap thy hands and redouble
the sword. It is the third sword of the slain, the great sword
of slaughter. Therefore thou shalt strike them with terror.
15 See that thy heart be not broken, though the fainty be multi-
plied at every gate. They are delivered up to the slaughter of
the sword. It is well made for slaughter. It is well made to
16 glitter. Therefore pass through. Be sharp on the right and on
17 the left; which way soever thy face may be raised up. And as
for me I will clap my hands and give a loose to my wrath. I
the Lord have spoken.
18 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying. And thou
son of man. Sketch out for thyself two ways, for the sword of
19 the king of Babylon to enter. From one and the same coun-
try let them both come; and let there be a hand at the head of
the way to the city. At the head of that way thou shalt set it
20 up, for the sword to enter against Rabbath of the Ammonites,
and against Judea and against Jerusalem in the midst of it.
21 For the king of Babylon will halt on the old road — at the head
of the two roads to consult an oracle, to divine with an arrow and
22 inquire by graven images and inspect a liver. The oracle
against Jerusalem is favourable, to throw up a rampart, to
open his mouth with a war cry; to raise his voice with shout-
(p) The prophet. (J) Jehovah.
Ch. XXII. EZEKIEL.
ing, to cast up a rampart against her gates to raise a mount
23 and build towers for his engines. Now while this man is to
them as one consulting an oracle, that other is causing his
usurpation to be remembered.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Because you have brought
your iniquities into remembrance by disclosing your impie-
ties; that your sins may be seen, by all your acts of impiety and
by your devices — because you have brought them into remem-
25 brance, for them you shall be taken. And as for thee, thou profane
wicked ruler of Israel, whose day is coming at the appointed
26 season, there is an end to thy usurpation. Thus saith the Lord,
Thou hast pulled off the coronet, and put on the imperial dia-
dem. It shall not be such. Thou haSt debased Avhat was high
27 and exalted what was low. To usurpation, usurpation, usur-
pation I will expose it; alas for it ! Such it shall be till He
come, to whom it of right belongeth; and I will give it to him.
28 Now as for thee, son of man, prophesy and thou shalt say,
Thus saith the Lord, with regard to the Ammonites and their
reproach even thus thou shalt say, Ο sword, sword, drawn for
slaughter, and drawn for destruction, be lifted up that thou
29 mayst glisten. By the vain vision and false prophesying con-
cerning thee, the day came at the appointed season, for turn-
30 ing thee on the necks of wounded transgressors. There is an
end of usurpation; turn back; tarry not. In the place where
31 thou wast born, in thine own land I will judge thee. And I will
pour out my wrath upon thee; and witli the fire of mine indig-
nation blow upon thee, and deliver thee into the haiids of bar-
32 barous men skilled in destruction. Thou shalt be fuel for fire
and thy blood shall be in the midst of thy land. There shall no
more be any remembrance of thee. I the Lord have spoken.
XXII. Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Now,
2 son of man, if thou will judge this bloody city, then point out
to it all its iniquities and thou shalt say. Thus saith the Lord,
3 Lord, Ο city, which sheddest blood in the midst of thee, to
cause thy time to come; and which makest idols against thy-
4 self to pollute thyself. In the blood which thou hast shed, thou
art fallen : and with thine idols, which thou hast made, thou
art defiled: and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and
hast brought on tlie term of thy years; therefore I have made
Ch. XXII. EZEklEL.
tliee a scoff to the nations, and a mocking stock to all tlie coun-
5 tries — to those near and to those far from thee; and tliey shall
6 insult thee, thou impure, infamous and abandoned city. Be-
hold in thee the princes of the house of Israel banded them-
selves, every one with his relations, that they might shed blood.
7 In thee they reviled father and mother; and in thee practised
8 injustice against the stranger. They oppressed the widow and
the orphan; and in thee they despised my holy things and pro-
9 faned my sabbaths. In tliee men became robbers, that in thee
they might shed blood. And they ate upon the mountains
near thee; and in the midst of thee committed abominable
10 things. In thee they uncovered the nakedness of a father; and
11 in thee humbled a woman in a state of separation. In thee one
debauched his neighbour's, wife; another wantonly defiled his
daughter in law; and another humbled his sister, his father's
12 daughter. In thee they received bribes to shed blood. In thee
they took interest and usury, and thou hast completed thy
Λvickedness by oppression. And me thou hast forgotten, saith
13 the Lord. Now when I lay my hand on thee to destroy thee,
for what thou hast done and for the blood which hath been
14 shed in thee; will thy heart endure? Will thy hands be strong
in the day I deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken and I
15 will perform. I will scatter thee among the nations and dis-
perse thee through the countries, and when thine impurity shall
16 be consumed out of thee, I will take possession of thee in the
sight of all the nations; and you shall know that I am the
17 Lord. Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying, son of
18 man. Behold to me the house of Israel are all become mix-
ed with brass and iron and tin and lead Avith a mixture of
19 silver. Therefore say. Thus saith the Lord, Lord, Because
you are become one mass, I will therefore gather you into the
20 midst of Jerusalem : as silver and brass and iron and tin and
lead are put in a furnace, that the fire may be blown on it and
that it may be melted ; So will I take you in my wrath and
21 gather you and melt you. And I will blow upon you with
the fire of my wrath and you shall be melted in the midst of
22 it. As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace; so shall you
be melted in the midst of it; and you shall know that I the
Lord have poured out my wrath on you-
Ch. XXIII. EZEKIEL.
23 Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying; Son of
24 man say to this land, Thou art a land which was not watered
with showers; nor did rain fall upon thee in the day of indigiia-
25 tion. Its princes in the midst of it were like roaring lions, ra-
vening prey, devouring souls by oppression, yet receiving ho-
nours; and thy widows were multiplied in the midst of thee.
26 Its priests also despised my law and profaned my holy things;
between what was holy and what was profane they made no
difference, nor did they distinguish between the unclean and
the clean. And from my sabbaths they hid their eyes and I was
27 profaned in the midst of them. Its chiefs in the midst of it were
like wolves,ravening prey, to the shedding of innocent blood,that
28 they may glut their greediness. They shall fall together with its
prophets who anointed them, seeing vanities, prophesying lies,
saying. Thus saith the Lord, Though the Lord did not
29 speak, crushing by usurped authority the people of the land,
and ravening prey, oppressing the poor and needy, and pay-
ing no regard to strangers to the administration of jus-
30 tice. Though I sought among them for a man of integrity
and for one who stood uprightly before me in the time of in-
dignation that I might utterly destroy it, yet I found none :
31 therefore I poured out my wrath upon it, to destroy it utterly
with the fire of mine indignation. Their ways I have requited
on their heads, saith the Lord, Lord.
XXIII. Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same
3 mother, who in their youth had committed whoredom in
4 Egypt. There they were first deflowered. And these were their
names — the eldest was called Oola and her sister, Ooliba. And
when they became mine and had borne me sons and daughters.
These were their names — Oola was called Samaria, and Ooli-
5 ba, Jerusalem. And Oola wantonly left me and attached her-
6 self to her lovers — to the Assyrians her neighbours, whose
generals and leaders were clothed in blue. And the chosen
7 youth were all horsemen, mounted on horses. But though
she indulged her wantonness with them, who were all the prin-
cipal men of the Assyrians, and with all them to whom she at-
8 tached herself; and defiled herself with all their idols; yet she
did not forsake her fornication with Egypt because they had
Ch. XXIII. EZEKIEL.
9 lain with her in her youth and first deflowered her. Where-
fore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands
10 of the Assyrians to whom she had attached herself. These ex-
posed her shame. They took her sons and her daughters, and
slew her with the sword, and she became a common talk for
women, and by her they gave warning to their daughters.
11 Though her sister Ooliba saw this, yet she became abandoned
12 and more inordinate in her fornication than her sister. To the
sons of the Assyrians she attached herself — to the rulers and
generals near her who were arrayed in sumptuous apparel, who
were horsemen mounted on horses. They were all chosen
13 youths. When I saw that they were polluted; and that both
took the same course ; and that this one was adding to her
14 fornication ; for upon seeing men ppurtrayed on the wall, the
15 pictures of the Chaldeans drawn to the life with a pencil, hav-
ing their loins girded with embroidered girdles, and deep dyed
turbans on their heads; the majestic countenance of all resem-
16 bling that of the Chaldees of the land of her nativity ; she be-
came attached to them by the sight of her eyes, and sent mes-
17 sengers to them to the land of Chaldea. And the sons of Ba-
bylon came to her, lay with her, and polluted her in whore-
dom. x\nd when she was polluted by them, though her mind
18 was alienated from them, still she discovered her whoredom
and exposed her shame. So my mind became alienated from
19 her as it had been from her sister. As thou hast multiplied
thy whoredom, to call into remembrance the days of thy youth,
20 in which thou didst play the harlot in Egypt, and though con-
21 nected with the Chaldeans, men of beastly lust, hast looked
back to the transgressions of thy youth — to what thou didst
22 in the stew of Egypt where thou wast first deflowered. There-
fore Ο Ooliba, thus saith the Lord, Behold I will raise up
against thee thy lovers from whom thy mind is alienated ;
23 and I will bring them against thee on every side — the chil-
dren of Babylon, even all the Chaldeans, Phakuk and Soue
and Uchoue and all the Assyrians with them, chosen youths,
leaders and generals, all men of high rank and renown, mounted
24 on horses. And they shall come against thee from the north
with chariots and wheeled carriages, and a multitude of peoples
with bucklers and shields. And when a guard is set on thee
VOL, HI- ο
Qi. XXllI. EZEKIEL.
roundabout, I will give judgment before them and they shall
25 punish thee by their judgments. And I will give a loose to
my jealousy ; and they shall deal \s ith thee with furious wTath,
they shall cut off thy nose and thine ears ; and the remains of
thee thev shall hack with a sword. Thev shall take thv sons
and thy daughters ; and a fire shall devour the residue of thee.
26 And they shall strip thee of thy raiment, and take those jewels
27 which are thy boast. And I will remove thine impieties which
spring from thyself, and thy fornication which sprang from
the land of Eg\'pt ; and thou shalt never lift up thine eyes to
28 them, nor shalt thou any more remember Eg}pt. For thus
saith the Lord, Lord, Behold I deliver thee into the hands of
them ^vhom thou hatest, and from Avhom thy mind is with-
29 drawn ; and they shall deal spitefully with thee, and take all
those things for ^vhich thou hast laboured and toiled : and
thou shalt be naked and in disgrace and tlie shame of thy
whoredom shall be made public. Thine impiety and thy
30 whoredom have brought these things on thee. By thy going
a Avhoring after the nations, thou hast polluted thyself with
3 1 their inordinate lusts. Thou hast walked in the way of thy sis-
ter ; therefore I ^vill put her cup into thy hands.
32 Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt drink the cup of thy sis-
ter, which is deep, and which is large, and which is foaming
33 over, to cause complete intoxication, that thou mayst be filled
with fainting — even that cup of astonishment, the cup of thy
34 sister Samaria. Let her take this : and I will turn away her
festivals and her Ώt^^• moons ; for I the Lord have spoken,
saith the Lord.
35 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast forgotten
and cast me behind thee, take thou the effects of thine impiet}•
and of thy whoredom.
36 Again the Lord said to me, Son of man, wilt thou not
arraign Oola and Ooliba, and announce to them their iniqui-
ties? That they have committed adultery and there is blood
37 on their hands'? They have committed adulter}• with their idols;
and caused their children whom they bore to me to pass
58 through fire for them. And ^vhen they had done this to me,
39 they polluted my holy things and profaned my sabbaths; for
Ch. XXIV. EZEKIEL.
Avhen they had slaughtered their children to their idols, they
Avent into my sanctuary' to profane it.
40 Now because they have acted thus in my house; and be-
cause, for the men who came from afar, to whom messengers
had been despatched, thou didst immediately on their coming,
anoint thyself with oil and paint thine eyes with stibium, and
41 adorn thyself with sumptuous attire, and sit on a covered so-
pha with a table set before it; and they were regaled Λvith mine
42 incense and mine oil, and joined in the harmonious song, even
with men of the common herd who had come from the wil-
derness; (though they had put bracelets on their hands and a
43 crown of exquisite beauty on their heads; I said, surely they
do not commit adultery with these! But she acted the harlot
44 and they went in unto her : in the same manner as they go in
to a common woman, so did they go in unto Oola and to Ooli-
45 bato commit iniquity) therefore these are righteous men and
they will punish them with the punishment of an adulteress
and with the punishment for blood. Because they are adulter-
46 esses and there is blood on their hands, thus saith the Lord,
Lord, Bring up a multitude against them and expose them to
47 tumult and rapine ; and stone them \vith the stones of tu-
multuous crowds; and stab them with their swords. Let their
sons and their daughters be slain and their houses burned with
48 fire, that I may remove impiety out of the land and that all
women may take warning, and not commit the impieties which
49 these have done. Thus shall your impiety be recompensed on
you; and for your sins )Ou shall receive retribution; and you
shall know that I am the Lord.
XXIV. XII. AGAIN in the ninth year, in the tenth month,
on the tenth day of the month, a word of the Lord came to
me, saying,
3 Son of man write down for thyself for a day, from this day
on which the king of Babylon hath determinately set himself
3 against Jerusalem; even from this very day; and speak a para-
ble against that provoking family, and thou shalt say to them,
4 Thus saith the Lord, Set on the cauldron and pour water
into it; and throw into it the pieces of meat, every choice piece,
the flesh of the thigh and the shoulder separated from the
Ch. XXIV. EZEKIEL.
5 bones, and these of the choicest cattle; and burn the bones
under them. It hath boiled and the bones have been sodden
in it. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ah ! bloody city ! a
kettle, in which there is verdigrease in its very substance, and
that verdigrease is not gone out of it. She hath brought it out
on every member of her: no lot fell upon her. Because her
blood is in the midst of her; I have ordered it to be poured
out on a smooth stone : I have not poured it on the ground for
.8 the earth to cover it. That w^rath may be kindled and ven-
geance executed, I have ordered the blood to be poured out
on a smooth stone, that it may not be concealed.
9 Therefore thus saith the Lord, I will enlarge the pile, and
10 heap on wood and cause the fire to bum, that the flesh may be
11 consumed and the broth evaporated : and it shall stand on the
coals that the brass may be heated red hot and melted in the
12 midst of its impurity and its verdigrease quifte destroyed; so
13 that this its abundant verdigrease may not proceed from it. Its
verdigrease shall be exposed to shame. Because thou wast
polluted what else could be done, since thou wouldst not be
14 cleansed till I filled up my wrath? I the Lord have spoken.
He shall come : and I will act. I will not defer; nor will I
shew compassion. According to thy ways and according to
thy lusts I Avill judge thee, saith the Lord, therefore I will
judge thee according to thy blood guiltiness; aud I will judge
thee according to thine inordinate lusts, Ο corrupt, infamous
and very provoking city.
15 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of
16 man. Behold I take from thee the desires of thine eyes with
17 a stroke. Thou must not mourn, nor utter lamentation. Let
sighing for blood and grief of loins be suppressed. Thy hair
shall be platted on thy head and thy sandals shall be on thy
feet. Thou must not receive comfort from their lips, nor eat
funeral bread.
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning as he had order-
ed me in the evening. And when I did in the morning as I
19 was commanded, the people said to me. Why dost thou not
20 tell UB what these things mean which thou art doing? There-
upon I said to them, A word of the Lord came to me, say-,
21 ing. Say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Behold
Ch. XXV. EZEKIEL.
I will profane my sanctuary, the boast of your strength, the
desire of your eyes, and for which your souls are moved with
compassion; and your sons and 3Our daughters whom you
22 left shall fall by the sword : and you shall do as I have done.
You shall not receive comfort from their mouth nor eat fune-
23 ral bread; your locks of hair shall be on your head, and your
sandals on your feet; you shall neither utter lamentations nor
shed tears; but shall pine away for your iniquities and exhort
24 one another. And Ezekiel shall be for a sign to you, (accord-
ing to all that he hath done you shall do when these things
25 happen) and you shall know that I am the Lord. And with
regard to thee son of man, will not this be the case? On the
day when I take from them their strength — that which was
their exultation and boast and the desire of their eyes and the
26 pride of their soul — their sons and their daugliters; on that
27 day one who escapeth shall come to thee to tell thee the news;
on that day thy mouth shall be opened to him who escapeth.
Thou shalt speak and no more be dumb and thou shalt be a
sign to them; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
XXV. Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of
2 man, set thy face against the children of Ammon and prophe-
sy against them and thou shalt say to the children of Ammony
3 Hear a word of the Lord, Thus saith the Lord, Because you
exulted over my sanctuary ; because it was profaned and over
the land of Israel because it was laid waste, and over the house
4 of Juda, because they went into captivity; therefore behold I
deliver you to the children of Kedem for a possession; and in
their excursions they shall inhabit thee and pitch their tents in
5 thee. They shall eat thy fruits and drink thy liquors. And I
will make the city of Ammon feeding places for camels; and
the land of the Ammonites a pasture for sheep; and you shall
6 know that I am the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, Because
thou didst clap thy hands and stamp with thy feet, and exult
7 in thy soul over the land of Israel; therefore I will stretch
forth my hand against thee, and deliver thee up for a spoil to
the nations : and I will utterly destroy thee from among the
peoples, and cause thee to perish out of the countries, and you
shall know that I am the Lord.
Ch. XXVI. EZEKIEL.
8 Thus saith the Lord, Because Moah said, Behold 1 shall
not the house of Israel and Juda be like all the nations?
9 Therefore behold I will loosen the shoulder of Moab from
his frontier cities, that beautiful country the house of Betha-
simoth, at the head of the fountain of the city on the sea
10 shore. I have set the children of Kedem over the Ammonites,
I have given them to him for an inheritance, that there may be
11 no remembrance of the Ammonites, and upon Moab I will
execute vengeance; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
12 Thus saith the Lord, Because Idumea in executing ven-
geance on the house of Juda gratified private resentment and
13 executed the sentence with rigour. Therefore thus saith the
Lord, I will also stretch forth my hand against Idumea, and de-
stroy out of it man and beast and make it a desolation. And
they who are driven out of Thaiman shall fall by the sword.
14 And I λνΐΐΐ execute vengeance on Idumea by the hand of my
people Israel who shall deal with Idumea according to mine
indignation, and according to my wrath; and they shall know
my vengeance saith the Lord.
15 For the same cause, thus saith the Lord, Because the
Philistines acted λλ ith revenge and with joy of heart heighten-
16 ed the punishment to destroy utterly; therefore thus saith the
Lord, Behold I Mill stretch forth my hand against the Philis-
tines, and utterly exterminate the Cretans, and destroy the
17 remnants which inhabit the sea coast, and inflict on them great
punishments; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I
execute my vengeance on them.
XXVI. XIII. AGAIN it came to pass in the eleventh year
on the first of the month, a word of the Lord came to me,
saying,
2 Son of man, Because Sor hath said against Jerusalem,
Aha! She is trodden down; the nations have destroyed her;
she is turned over to me; she that was full is laid waste,
3 therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I am against thee, Sor,
and I will bring up many nations against thee, as the sea
4 Cometh up with its waves. And they shall demolish the walls
of Sor and break down thy towers; and I will brush away the
5 loose earth from it and make it a bare rock. It shall be a place
to dry nets in the midst of tlie sea. As I have spoken, saith
Ch. XXVI. EZEKIEL.
6 the Lord, It shall indeed be a prey for the nations ; and its
daughters on the continent shall be slain with the sword : and
7 they shall know that I am the Lord. For thus saith the Lord,
Behold against thee, *SOr, I will bring from the North, Nabu-
chodonosar king of Babylon, a king of kings, with horses and
chariots and horsemen, and a great assembly of many nations.
8 Thy daughters on the main land he will slay with the sword;
and he will lay siege to thee and surround thee with works,
and make a rampart against thee round about, with places fof
9 engines; and arrange his lances over against thee, and with his
10 battle axes demolish thy walls and thy towers. By reason of
the multitude of his horses their dust shall cover thee ; and
with the neighing of his horses and the rumbling of his cha-
riot wheels thy walls shall shake when he entereth thy gates
11 like one entering a city from the plain. With the hoofs of his
horses all thy streets shall be trampled. He will slay thy peo-
ple with the sword; and level to the ground the confidence of
12 thy strength; and make a prey of thine army, and a spoil of
thy wealth; and break down thy walls and demolish thy lovely
houses; and thy stones and thy timbers and thy rubbish he
13 will throw into the midst of the sea. And he will put an end
to the multitude of thy musicians; and the sound of thy
14 psalteries shall no more be heard. I will indeed make thee a
bare rock. Thou shalt be a place for drying nets, thou shalt
never be rebuilded any more; for I the Lord have spoken,
saith the Lord.
15 For thus saith the Lord, Lord, to *SOr .• At the sound of thy
fall; at the groans of thy wounded, when the sword is drawn in
16 the midst of thee, shall not the islands quake? Yes, from their
thrones will come down all the chiefs of the maritime nations,
and they will take their crowns from their heads, and strip olf
their embroidered robes. They will be struck with consterna-
tion and sit on the ground, and be in dread of their own de-
17 struction and groan for thee. And they will take up a lamen-
tation for thee and say to thee, *Ήονν art thou destro}ed from
the sea, Ο renowned city! which didst impress the terror of
18 thee on all who inhabit its shores! The isles also will be terri-
19 fied at the day of thy fall. For thus saith the Lord, Lord, When
Ϊ make ihee a desolate citv, like cities never to be rebuilded.
Ch. XXVIL EZEKIEL.
when I bring up the abyss against thee; much water shall co-
20 ver thee. And I will press thee down to them who go down to
the pit, to the people of old; and make thee dwell in the depths
of the earth — in an everlasting desert, with them who go down
to the pit; that thou mayst never be rebuilt nor rise again in
21 the land of life. I will make thee a desolation; and thou shalt
never come into existence again, saith the Lord, Lord.
XXVII. Then a word of the Lord came to me saying, There-
2 fore, son of man, take up a lamentation for Sor and thou shalt
say to Sor, which is situate at the entrance of the sea, the mart
3 of nations from many isles, thus saith the Lord to Sor, thou
4 saidst, "I have clothed myself with beauty." In the heart of
5 the sea thy sons clothed thee with beauty for Beelim. The ce-
dars from Senir cut into planks have been built into ships for
thee; they took cypresses from Lebanon to make for thee taper-
6 ing masts: from the groves of Bashan they made thy oars.
Thy temples they built of ivory and thy roomy houses from
the isles of the Chetians: cotton with embroidery from Egypt was
the covering of thy bed. To add to thy glory, and that thou
mightest clothe thyself with blue and purple, thy clothing came
8 from the isles of Elisa. The inhabitants of Sidon were thy
captains; and the Aradians were thy mariners; thine own wise
9 men, Sor, who were in thee, were thy pilots. The elders of
Biblii, even their wise men who were in thee, invigorated thy
counsel. And all the ships of the sea and all the mariners of
10 the western world were in thy service. Persians and Lydians
and Libyans were in thine army. Thy warriors hung up in thee
11 shields and helmets. They increased thy glory. The Aradi-
ans, the army on thy walls, were guards in thy towers; they
hung up their quivers on thy shoulders round about. They
12 made thy beauty perfect. The Karchadians purchased of thee
for exportation, from thy vast stock of all kinds of merchan-
dize; and paid thee for their purchases silver and gold and iron
13 and tin and lead. Hellas, even that whole country and those
stretching beyond it, traded with thee in the souls of men and
14 supplied thy market with vessels of brass. From the house of
Thcgarm ι thy market was supplied with horses and horsemen.
15 The sons of the Rhodians were thy merchants: from the isles
they pkntifully supplied thy market with ivory; and in exchange
Ch. XXVII. EZEKIEL.
16 thou didst supply them with thy merchandise, with slaves a
part of thy exports from thy vast stock of wares, with stacte
17 and embroideries from Tharsis and Ramoth and Chorchor. Ju-
da also and the children of Israel traded with thee in the sale
of wheat and myrrh and cassia; and for thy merchandises sup-
18 plied thee chiefly with honey and oil and frankincense. Damas-
cus Λvas thy customer for thine abundant wares of all kinds,
they had wine from Chelbon, so they paid for their purchases
19 with wool from Miletus and with wine. From Asel thou wast
supplied with manufactured iron, which was a part of thy mer-
20 chandise by a circuitous trade. Daidan was a dealer with thee
21 and supplied thee with choice cattle for cai'riages. Arabia and
all the chiefs of Kedar dealt with thee, and paid thee camels
22 and lambs and rams for what they purchased of thee. The mer-
chants of Saba and Ramma traded with thee with the choicest
spiceries and precious stones; they gave gold also for thy mer-
23 chandise. Charra and Ghana also were thy customers and so
24 were Assur and Charman: they supplied thy market with blue
25 cloth and choice merchandise bound up in bales. Fleets of
cypress ships were employed in thy trade. So Λvith this multi-
tude and with thy merchandise thou wast filled and deeply la-
26 den in the heart of the sea. Into deep water thy mariners
steered thee. In the midst of the sea the south wind hath
27 wrecked thee. Thine armies, and the gains of thee and of thy
factors, with thy mariners, and thy pilots, and thy coun-
sellors, and thy factors and all thy warriors were on board of
thee: and all this assemblage of thine which are in thee shall
28 sink in the heart of the sea on the day of thy ruin. At the scream
29 of thy voice thy pilots will be astounded. They who handle
the oar and they on board ships will quit their vessels; and
30 they who frequent the sea will stand on the land, and with
their voice raise a mournful cry for thee, and scream bitterly
and put earth on their heads and strew themselves with ashes,
32 and their children will take up a lamentation for thee a peculiar
3 3 song of woe for Sor — "what immense wealth didst thou acquire
from the sea! with thine abundance thou didst fill nations; and
34 with thy traffic enrich all the kings of the earth. Now thou art
overwhelmed in the sea; in deep water, thy merchandise, with
35 all thy crew in thee. All thy mariners are fallen. For thee all
Λ^ΟΙ,, III. ρ ρ
Ch. XXVm. EZEKIEL.
the inhabitants of the isles are in distress, and their kings are
36 struck with amaze, and tears bedew their countenance. For
thee the merchants of the nations express pity; thou art utter-
ly destroyed and never to be any more."
XXVIII. Again a ivord of the Lord came to me, saying, and
2 thou son of man say to the prince of Tyre, Thus saith the
Lord, Because thy heart is elated, and thou hast said, "I am a
God." "I inhabit the dwelling of a god in the heart of the sea."
Now as for thee thou art a man and not a God; though thou hast
3 set thy heart as the heart of a God. Art thou wiser than Daniel?
Have not wise men taught thee with their knowledge? Didst
thou by thy knowledge, or thine own understanding, procure
5 for thyself power and gold and silver in thy treasuries? By thy
great skill and thy traffic thou hast increased thy wealth; and
6 with thy wealth thy heart is elated; therefore, Thus saith the
7 Lord, Since thou hast set thy heart as the heart of a God; for
this, behold I will bring against thee strange ravagers from the
nations, and they shall unsheath their swords against thee and
against the beauty of thy wisdom; and they shall bring down
8 thy beauty to destruction and trample thee down; and thou
shalt die the death of wounded men in the heart of the sea.
9 Wilt thou say, "I am a God," in the presence of them who
are slaying thee? Thou indeed art but a man and not a God.
10 Among a multitude of uncircumciscd thou shalt die by the
hand of strangers, for I have spoken, saith the Lord.
11 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man,
take up a lamentation for the prince of Tyre and say to him,
12 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, thou wast an impression of resem-
13 blance and a crown of beauty. In the delightful paradise of
God thou wast born. Thou hast been adorned with every pre-
cious stone, the sardis and topaz and emerald and carbun-
cle and sapphire and jasper, and with silver and gold and the
ligure and agate, and amethyst and chrysolite and beryl and
onyx; and hast filled thy treasuries and thy stores with gold.
14 From the day thou wast created thou wast with the cherub. On
the holy mountain of God I placed thee, thou wast born in the
15 midst of sparkling stones. Thou in thy days wast spotless
from the day thou wast created, until iniquities were found
IG in thee. By reason of thine abundant traffic thou didst fill thy
Ch. XXIX. EZEKIEL.
stores with iniquity and commit sins; therefore thou art cast
out slain from the mountain of God; and from amidst the
17 sparkling stones the cherub hath dragged thee. Thy heart was
elated because of thy beauty; with thy beauty thine understand-
•• ing was perverted. For the multitude of thy sins I have dash-
ed thee on the ground; in the presence of kings I have made
18 thee a public example. For the multitude of thy sins and the
iniquities of thy traffic I have defiled thy sanctuaries; and from
the midst of thee I will bring out a fire which shall devour
thee. And I will make thee like ashes on the ground, in the
19 sight of all them who behold thee. And all that knew thee
among the nations shall lament over thee. Thou art utterly de-
stroyed and never to be any more.
20 Then a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of man,
set thy face against Sidon, and prophesy against it and say,
Thus saith the Loixl, Behold I am against thee, Sidon, and I
shall be glorified by thee; and thou shalt know that I am the
Lord. When I execute judgments on thee, then shall I be hal-
23 lowed by thee. There shall be blood and death in thy streets,,
and the victims of the sword shall fall in and around thee:
24 and they shall know that I am the Lord. And there shall no
more be in the house of Israel a pricking briar nor a grieving
thorn, by reason of those around them, who despised them: and
25 they shall know that I am the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Lord,
When I gather Israel from among the nations where they were
scattered, 1 shall be hallowed by them even in the sight of the
peoples and nations and they shall dwell in their land which I
26 gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell there secure-
ly and shall build houses and plant vineyards: they shall in-,
deed dwell securely when I have executed judgment on all
who despised them — on all their neighbours around them;
and they shall know that I the Lord am their God and the
God of their fathers.
XXIX. XIV. IN the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the
first day of the month, a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Pharao king of Egypt, and
prophesy against him and against all Egypt; and say. Thus
3 saith the Lord, Behold I am against Pharao — tliat great dragon
Ch. XXIX. EZEKIEL.
which walloweth in the midst of his rivers, and saith, "These*
4 rivers are mine and I made them." And I \vill put grapples in
thy jaws, and cause the fishes of thy river to stick close to thy
5 fins; and I will drag thee out of the river, and give thee and
all the fishes of thy river a sudden cast. On the face of the plain
thou shalt fall and shalt not be gathered nor composed. To the
6 beasts of the earth and the birds of the air I have given thee for
food. And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am
the Lord.
Because thou hast been a staff of reed to the house of Israel;
7 when they took hold of thee with their hand thou didst break:
€ven when every hand was clapping against them, and when
they leaned on thee thou didst break and disjoint all their loin;
8 therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I will bring a sword
against thee and destroy out of thee man and beast. And the
9 land of Egypt shall be a destruction and a desolation; and they
shall know that I am the Lord.
10 Because thou saidst, " These rivers are mine ; I made
them ;" therefore behold I am against thee and against all thy
rivers ; and I will deliver up the land of Egypt to desolation
and sword and destruction. From Magdolus and Syene even
1 1 to the borders of Ethiopia, no foot of man shall pass across it,
nor shall a foot of beast traverse it ; and for forty years it shall
12 not be inhabited. I will indeed make its land a desolation in
the midst of a desolated land, and its cities, in the midst of de-
solated cities, forty years. And I will scatter Egypt among
the nations, and disperse them through the countries.
13 Thus saith the Lord, After forty years, I will gather the
14 Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered ; and I
will bring back the Egyptian captives, and settle them in the
land of Pathora — in the land from which they were taken. —
15 And it shall be the basest of all governments; it shall no more
be exalted against the nations. For I will make them few and
of little account, that they may not be great among the nations.
16 And they shall no more be the confidence of the house of Is-
rael, bringing iniquity into remembrance by their going after
them ; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
17 Again it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year on
the first day of the first month,that a word of the Lord came to
Ch. XXX. EZEKIEL.
me, saying, Son of man, Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon
18 hath caused his army to undergo hard service at Tyre. Every
head is bald and every shoulder peeled ; and he and his army
employed against Tyre, have received no wages ; though they
19 have undergone hard service against it. Thus saith the Lord,
Behold I will give to Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon the
land of Egypt. And he shall make a prey of its prey, and a spoil
20 of its spoil. And it shall be Avages for his army. For his service
which he hath performed against Tyre, I have given him the
21 land of Egypt. Thus saith the Lord, Lord ; In that day there
shall spring up a horn for the whole house of Israel, and I will
give thee an open mouth in the midst of them, and they shall
know that I am the Lord.
XXX. Again a word of the Lord came to me saying, Son of
3 man prophesy and say. Thus saith the Lord, Alas ! alas ! the
day ; for the day of the Lord is near. A cloudy day ! it shall
4 be the end of nations. A sword shall come upon the Egyp-
tians; and there shall be consternation in the land of Ethiopia;
and the wounded shall fall in Egypt, and its foundations shall
5 be shaken. Persians and Cretans and Lydians and Libyans
and all the mixed people, and some of the children of my co-
6 venant shall fall in it by the sword. The fortresses of Egypt
shall fall, and down shall come the pride of her strength, from
Magdolus even to Syene — by the sword they shall fall in it, saith
7 the Lord. And it shall be desolate in the midst of desolated
countries ; and their cities shall be in the midst of desolated
8 cities. And they shall know that I am the Lord ; when I send
a fire against Egypt, and all her helpers are trodden down. —
9 In that day swift messengers will go forth to cause Ethiopia
to vanish : and there shall be consternation among them in
the day of Egypt. For behold it is come.
10 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, I will indeed destroy the
multitude of the Egyptians by the hand of Nabuchodonosar
1 1 king of Babylon — of him and his people. They are ravagers
sent from nations to destroy a land ; and they shall all un-
sheath their swords against Egypt ; and the land shall be fill-
1 2 ed with the slain. And I will dry up their rivers and destroy
the land, and the fulness thereof by the hands of strangers, 1
13 the Lord have spoken. For thus saith the Lord, Lord, When
Ch. XXXI. EZEKIEL.
I have destroyed the nobles from Memphis, and the chiefs of
Memphis out of the land of Egypt, and they shall be no more ;
14 then I will destroy the land of Pathora, and send a fire against
15 Tanis and execute vengeance on Diospolis. And I will pour
out my wrath on Sais, the strength of Egypt, and utterly de-
16 stroy the multitude of Memphis : and I will send a fire against
Egyjjt, and Syene shall be confounded ; and at Diospolis there
17 shall be a breach; and water shall gush out. The young men of
Heliopolis and Boubaste shall fall by the sword, and the women
18 shall go into captivity. And at Taphnis the day will be darken-
ed, when I there break the sceptres of Egypt, for the pride of
her strength shall be destroyed there : and a cloud shall cover
19 her; and her daughters shall be carried away captives. Thus
will I execute judgment on Egypt, and they shall know that
I am the Lord.
20 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month,
on the seventh of the month, a worj of the Lord came to me,
21 saying. Son of man, I bruised the arms of Pharao king of
Egypt ; and behold he hath made no supplication for a cure
22 to be given, for a poultice to be applied ; for strength to be
given to handle a sword, Therefore thus saith the Lord, Lord,
Behold I am against Pharao king of Egypt ; and I will break
his strong and extended arms, and cause the sword to drop
23 from his hand. And I will scatter Egypt among the nations, and
24 disperse them through the countries. And I will strengthen
the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword into his
liand, and he shall wield it against Egypt, and make a prey
25 of his prey, and a spoil of his spoil. I will indeed strengthen
the arms of the king of Babylon ; and the arms of Pharao shall
be enfeebled ; and they shall know that I am the Lord. When
I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, he shall
26 wield it against the land of Egypt. And I will scatter Egypt
among the nations, and disperse them through the countries,
and they shall all know that I am the Lord.
XXXI. Again in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the
first day of the month, a word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 Son of man say to Pharao king of Egypt, and to his multitude,
3 to whom hast thou likened thyself for thy loftiness ? Lo to
Assur ! he was a cypress on Libanus. Beautiful with branches
Ch. XXXI. EZEKIEL.
4 and lofty in stature. His top was among the clouds. Water
nourished him. The deep made him lofty. It brought its
streams about his roots, and sent forth its rills to all the trees
5 of the plain. By reason of this he was exalted in greatness
above all the trees of the plain, and by the plentiful supply of
6 water his branches spread. Among his boughs all the birds
of the air built their nests ; and under his branches all the
beasts of the field brought forth their young; and all the mul-
7 titude of nations dwelt in its shade. He was beautiful ^n his
height by the multitude of his branches, because his roots
8 shot out into abundance of water. Even the cypresses such
as were in the paradise of God and the pines were not to be
compared with his shoots, nor were the fir trees comparable
to his branches. Not a tree in the garden of God was equal
9 to him in beauty, on the account of the multitude of his
branches ; therefore, the trees of God's delicious paradise en-
10 vied him on that account. But thus saith the Lord, Because
thou wast of great magnitude, therefore thou hast shot up thy
top among the clouds. Now when I saw that he was lifted up,
11 I delivered him into the hands of the chief of nations, who
12 accomplished his destruction. Strangers, merciless ravagers
from nations destroyed him. They felled him on the moun-
tains and his branches fell in all the vallies, and his shoots
were trampled down in every field of the earth ; and all the
tribes of the nations came down from their shade, and levelled
13 him to the ground. Upon his ruins all the birds of the air rest-
ed themselves ; and all the wild beasts of the earth came
against his shoots ; that none of the trees by the water might
14 be exalted by their greatness : though they had shot up their
top among the clouds, yet none of these water drinkers stood
in their height before them ; they were all delivered up to
death, to the depth of the earth, among the children of men, to
15 them who go down to the pit. Thus saith the Lord, On the day
he went dov/n to Hades, the abyss mourned for him. I stayed
its streams and restrained the abundance of Λvater. For him
Libanus covered itself with darkness; all the trees of the field
16 were grieved for him. At the sound of his fall the nations were
shaken. When he v/as pressed down to the mansion of the
dead, with them who go down into the pit; all the trees of thv^
Ch. XXXII. EZEKIEL.
garden comforted him in the earth — even the choice trees of
17 Libanus, all that drink water; for they also went down with
him to the mansion of the dead, among them who were vic-
tims of the sword ; and his seed — they who dwelt under his
18 shade Λvere in the middle of their life destroyed. To whom-
soever thou hast been likened, down with thee, and be pressed
low with the trees of pleasure into the depth of the earth. In
the midst of the uncircumcised thou shalt lie, with them who
are the victims of the swords. Thus shall it be with Pharao
and the multitude of his strength, saith the Lord, Lord.
XXXII. Now it came to pass in the tenth year, in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, that a word of the Lord
2 came to me, saying. Son of man, take up a funeral song for
Pharao king of Egypt, and thou shalt say to him, To the lion
of nations thou hast been likened, but thou art like a dragon
which is in the sea. Thou hast harried thy rivers and troubled
3 the water with thy feet, and trampled thy rivers. Therefore
thus saith the Lord, I will spread for thee the nets of many
4 peoples, and drag thee up with my grapple. And I will lay
thee extended on the land. The plains shall be filled. And I
will cause all the birds of the air to settle on thee and glut all
5 the beasts of the earth. I will cast thy flesh on the mountains
6 and fill them with thy blood: and the earth shall be drenched
with the torrents from thee. By reason of the abundance of
thee on the mountains, I will fill the vallies with parcels of thee.
7 And in the act of extinguishing thee I will cover heaven and
darken the stars thereof: I will veil the sun with a cloud and the
8 moon shall not give her light: all that give light in the heaven
shall be dark over thee; and I will overspread the earth with
darkness, saith the Lord, Lord, and vex the heart of many
peoples.
9 When I bring thy captivity to the nations — to a land which
10 thou hast not known; then shall many nations groan for thee:
and their kings will be struck with horror, when my sword is
brandished before their faces, expecting their own ruin from the
11 day of thy downfall. For thus saith the Lord, the sword of the
12 king of Babylon shall come upon thee. With the swords of gi-
ants I will overthrow thy strength. They are all ravagers from
the nations; and they shall destroy the haughtiness of Egypt,
Ch. XXXII. EZEKIEL.
J 3 and all her strength shall be trampled down. And I will de-
stroy all her cattle from her great water; and the foot of man
shall no more trouble it, nor shall a hoof of cattle trample it.
14 Thus shall their waters then be at rest, and their streams shall
15 glide like oil, saith the Lord. When I have devoted Eg) pt to
destruction, and the land is wasted with the fulness thereof —
When I have scattered all its inhabitants, then they shall know
16 that I am the Lord. It is a song of WOe and thou shalt sing it
mournfully, and the daughters of the nations shall bewail
Egypt, and over all her strength pour forth this plaint, saith the
Lord, Lord.
17 Again in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the first
month a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of man,
sing a song of woe over the strength of Egypt, when the nations
18 shall thrust down her daughters — shall thrust them down dead
to the depth of the earth — to them who are going down into
21 the pit; in the midst of the sword's victims they shall fall with
him.
When all his power shall be laid to rest; then will the giants
19 say to thee, "Down witl\thee into the lowest pit! excel whon^
20 thou may St, down with thee, and be laid with the uncircumcis-
22 ed, in the midst of the victims of the sword." There lieth Assur
and all his assembly; all the victims of the sword are laid there;
23 and their sepulture is in the deep pit; and around his tomb
is his assembly — all the slain who fell by the sword, who made
themselves dreaded in the land of life.
24 There lieth Ailam with all his host around his tomb — all
the slain who fell by the sword, and went down uncircumcised
to the depth of the earth: having made themselves dreaded in
25 the land of life, they have received their punishment with them
who go down to the pit amidst the slain.
26 There are deposited Mosoch and Thobel, each with all
his host around his tomb — all his slain, all' uncircumcised,
slain with the sword. Having made themselves dreaded in the
27 land of life they are laid with the giants who fell of old; who
went down in their armour to the mansion of the dead, and
had their swords placed under their heads; but their iniquities
were on their bones; because they were the terror of all during
28 their lives. Thou indeed shalt be in the midst of the uncir-
voL. III. (^ q
Ch. XXXIII. EZEKIEL.
cumcised, with them who are the victims of the sword.
29 There have been laid the princes of Assur : they, Avho gave
its strength to the wounding sword, are themselves laid to rest
30 with the slain — with them who go down into the pit. There
lie the chiefs of the north, all the generals of Assur, who de-
scending wounded, are with their terror and their strength, laid
to rest, uncircumcised with the slain of the sword; and have
borne their punishment with them who go down to the pit.
31 These king Pharao shall see and be comforted for all his host,
32 saith the Lord, Lord. Because I have spread the terror of him
oxer the land of life; therefore he shall be in the midst of the
uncircumcised, ^vith the slain of the sword — even Pharao and
all his multitude Avith him, saith the Lord, Lord.
XXXIII. XV. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me, say-
ing, Son of man speak to the children of thy people and thou
2 shalt say to them, With regard to a land on which I am about
3 to bring a sword, when the people of that land take a man, one
of themselves, and make him their watchman; if he upon see-
■ ing the sword coming against the land, sound the trumpet and
4 warn the people; and he who heareth the trumpet doth not take
warning; and the sword cometh and cutteth him off; his blood
5 shall be on his own head. Because upon hearing the sound of
the trumpet he did not take warning; his blood shall be upon
6 himself; for had he taken warning he might have saved his
life. But if the watchman, upon seeing the sword coming,
doth not sound the trumpet, and the people are not warned,
and the sword cometh and taketh the life of any of them; that
person is taken off because of his iniquity; but his blood I will
require at the watchman's hands.
7 Now, as for ihee son of man, I have made thee a watch-
man to the house of Israel, therefore thou shalt hear a word
8 from my mouth. When I say to the sinner, Thou shalt die :
if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his w^ay; that
unrighteous man shall die for his iniquity ; but his blood I
9 will require at thy hand. But if thou forewarn the wicked of
his way to turn him from it; and he turn not from it, he shall
die for his wickedness and thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ch. ΧΧΧΙίΙ. EZEKIEL.
10 Now son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have
you spoken, saying, Our errors and our iniquities are upon
1 1 us; and in them we are pining away; how then can we live?
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death
of the wicked, but that the wicked should turn from his way
and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your way. Why do you die,
Ο house of Israel.
12 Say to the children of thy people. The righteousness of a
righteous man will not save him on the day when he goeth
astray. Nor shall the iniquity of a wicked man bring ruin on
him, on the day when he turneth away from his iniquity.
(a) What ! cannot a righteous man be saved.
13 (b) When I have spoken to the righteous, if he, trusting
to his righteousness, shall commit iniquity, none of his righte-
ous acts shall be remembered; for the iniquity which he hath
14 done, even for it he shall die. And when I say to the wicked,
15 Thou shalt die: if he turn from his sin and execute judg-
ment and justice and restore a pledge and make compensation
for acts of rapine and walk in the statutes of life without
16 committing injustice, he shall live and not die. None of his
sins which he committed shall be remembered. Because he
hath executed judgment and justice, for this he shall live.
17 Now will the children of thy people say. The way of the
18 Lord is not straight? It is their own way which is not straight.
When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness
19 and shall commit iniquities, for them he shall die. And when
the sinner turneth away from his iniquity and shall execute
20 judgment and justice, for them he shall live. Yet this is what
gave occasion to your saying. The way of the Lord is not
straight. I will judge you, Ο house of Israel, every one ac-
cording to his ways.
21 XVI. NOW it came to pass in the twelfth year of our cap-
tivity, in the twelfth month, on the fifth of the month, that one
Λvho had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, The
22 city is taken. Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me
(a) An objection, (b) Thear!s',ver.
Ch. XXXIV. EZEKIEL.
the evening before he arrived, and had opened my mouth. So
wh6n he came to me in the morning my mouth was opened
23 and no more shut. And a word of the Lord came to me, say-
24 ing, Son of man, they who dwell in the waste places in the
land of Israel, say, Abraham was a single person, yet he had
thi^ land, now we are many; to us this land is given for a pos-
25 session. Therefore say to them. Thus saith the Lord, Lord,
As I live, they who dwell in the wastes shall fall by the sword;
and they in the open country shall be delivered to the wild
beasts of the field for food : and those in walled towns and
28 those in caves I will destroy with pestilence and I will make
the land a desert. And the pride of its strength shall be de-
stroyed, and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate by rea-
son of none passing through it. And they shall know that I
29 am the Lord. For I will make their land a desert and it shall
be wasted, because of all their abominations which they have
committed.
30 Now son of man, with regard to these children of thy peo-
ple who speak of thee by the walls and in the porches of their
houses, they indeed speak to one another, saying, "Let us as-
31 semble and hear what come from the Lord." They come to
thee as people assemble; and they sit before thee and hear
thy words, but will not do them, because there is a lie in their
32 mouth, and their heart goeth after their pollutions; therefore
thou art to them like the sound of a tuneful psaltery : they
33 will hear thy M^rds, l)ut will not do them : but when they
come to pass they will say, "Lo ! they are come !" And they
will know that there was a prophet among them.
XXXIV. XVII. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me,
saying. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel :
prophesy and say to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord, Lord,
Ο Shepherds of Israel ! Do shepherds feed themselves? Do not
3 the shepherds feed their flocks? Behold you devour the milk
and clothe yourselves with the fleeces, and that which is fat
4 you slaughter; but my flock you do not feed. You have not
strengthened the v,^eak, nor cured the diseased. That which was
bruised you have not bound up, nor brought back that which
was going astray; nor have you searched for that which was
Ch. XXXIV. EZEKIEL.
5 lost : but you have wearied out the strong with toil, so that my
flock is dispersed for want of shepherds, and is become a prey
6 to all the wild beasts of the field. On every mountain and on
every high hill my sheep are scattered, and dispersed over the
face of the earth; and there is none who seeketh or bringeth
7 them back. Therefore, Ο shepherds, hear a word of the Lord!
8 As I live, saith the Lord, Because my flock is become a prey,
and my sheep are become meat for all the wild beasts of the
field, beyond what they would be were there no shepherds;
and the shepherds have not looked out for my sheep, and the
shepherds have fed themselves and have not tended my sheep;
9 Therefore, Ο shepherds, thus saith the Lord, Lord, behold I
10 am against the shepherds; and I will exact my sheep out of
their hands, and discharge them from feeding my sheep: and
these shepherds shall no longer feed them. I will rescue my
sheep out of their mouth, that they may be no longer food for
11 them. For thus saith the Lord, Lord, Lo! I myself ΛνϋΙ seek
12 my sheep and watch over them. As a shepherd searcheth for
his flock when mist and murky air overspread his scattered
sheep: so will I diligently seek my sheep, and bring them from
every place, where they have been dispersed in the day of mist
13 and murky darkness. And I will lead them out from among
the nations, and gather them from the countries, and bring
them into their own land, and feed them on the mountains of
Israel, and in the vales and in all the habitable part of the land,
14 I will feed them in good pasture. On the lofty mountain of
Israel shall be their folds; there they shall lie down and rest there
in luxurious ease, and be fed in a rich pasture on the moun-
15 tains of Israel. I myself will feed my sheep and I myself will
give them repose, and they shall know that I am the Lord.
16 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, I will seek the lost, and bring
back the stray; and bind up the bruised and strengthen the
weak: and I will watch the strong, and feed them with judg-
17 ment. And as for you sheep, thus saith the Lord, Lord,
Behold I will judge between sheep and sheep; rams and he
18 goats. Was it not enough for you, that you fed in a rich pas-
ture, but you must tread down the leavings of your pasture
with your feet? Or that you have drunk of the standing water,
19 but you must trouble the residue Avith your ject'? So that my
Ch. XXXV. EZEKIEL.
sheep fed on the tramphngs of your feet, and drank the water
20 which your feet had muddied. Therefore thus saith the Lord,
Lord, Behold I will judge between the strong sheep and the
21 weak. You have pushed with your sides and your shoulders,
22 and have butted with your horns and bruised all the weak: but
I will save my sheep and they shall no more be for a prey;
23 and I will judge between ram and ram. And I will set up over
them one shepherd who shall feed them, even my servant Da-
24 vid, who shall be their shepherd: and I the Lord will be their
God; and David shall be chief among them. I the Lord have
25 spoken; and with this David I will make a covenant of peace,
and remove the wild beasts entirely out of the land; so that
26 they may dwell in the desert and sleep in the woods. And I
will place them around my mountain, and give them the rain —
27 the rain of blessing: and the trees of the plain shall yield their
fruit; and the earth shall yield its increase; and they shall dwell
in their land securely; And know that I am the Lord, when I
have broken their yoke: and I will rescue them out of the hand
28 of them who enslaved them, and they shall no more be a prey
to the nations, nor shall the wild beasts of the earth any more
devour them, so they shall dwell secure and none shall make
29 them afraid. I will indeed raise up for them a plant of peace,
and they shall no more be consumed with famine in the land;
30 nor shall they any more bear the revile of nations; and they shall
know that I am the Lord their God, and that they are my peo-
ple. Ο house of Israel, saith the Lord, Lord, you are my
sheep, even the sheep of my flock, and I, the Lord, am your
God, saith the Lord, Lord.
XXXV. XVIIL AGAIN a word of the Lord came to me,
saying. Son of man, set thy face against the mountain of Seir,
3 and prophesy against it and say to it. Thus saith the Lord,
Lord, Behold I am against thee, mountain of Seir; and I will
stretch forth my hand against thee, and make thee a desert and
4 thou shalt be desolate. And I will make a devastation among
thy cities, and thou shalt be a desert and shalt know that I am
5 the Lord. Because thou hast been a perpetual enemy and didst
deceitfully lie in wait for the house of Israel — hast been a sword
In the hand of enemies, in the time of revolt, in their last ex-
Ch. XXXVI. EZEKIEL.
6 tremities; therefore as I live, saith the Lord, Lord, as thou
7 hast sinned unto blood, blood shall pursue thee. And I will
make the mountain of Seir an entire desert; and I Λvill destroy
8 from it men and cattle, and fill with the WOunded thy hills and
thy vallies: and in all thy plains, the victims of the sword shall fall
9 in thee. I will make thee a perpetual desolation, and thy cities
shall no more be inhabited, and thou shalt know that 1 am the
10 Lord. Because thou saidst, "The two nations and the two
countries shall be mine, and I will possess them, though the
11 Lord is there." Therefore, as I live saith the Lord, I will deal
with thee according to thine enmity, and be made known to
thee, when I judge thee; and thou shalt know that I am the
12 Lord. I have heard the sound of thy revilings; because thou
saidst, "The waste mountains of Israel are given us to be de-
13 voured," and didst utter swelling words against me with thy
14 mouth: I heard them: therefore thus saith the Lord, to the joy
15 of the whole land I will make thee a desert. Thou mountain
of Seir shalt be a desert; and all Idumea shall be destroyed;
and thou shalt know that I the Lord am their God.
XXXVI. And thou son of man, prophesy concerning the
mountains of Israel, and say to the mountains of Israel, Hear
2 a word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Lord; For as much
as against you the enemy said, "Aha! these everlasting deserts
3 are become our possession;" therefore prophesy and say. Thus
saith the Lord, Lord, For as much as you have been despised
and hated by them around you, by reason of your being a
possession for the relics of nations; and you are become a by-
4 word and scoiF to the nations: therefore, Ο mountains of Isra-
el, hear a word of the Lord, Thus saith the Lord, to the moun-
tains and the hills, and to the brooks and vallies, even to the
waste and desolate places, and to the cities which have been ut-
terly forsaken; as they are become a prey and a haunt for the
5 remnants of nations around; Therefore thus saith the Lord,
Lord, In the fire of my wrath I have spoken against these rem-
nants of nations and against all Idumea: Because they have with
joy distributed this land of mine among themselves for a pos-
session, undervaluing lives that you might be a waste for prey;
6 therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the
mountains and hills aiid to the vales and forests, Thus saith tlie
Ch. XXXVI. EZEKIEL.
7 Lord, Behold in my zeal and my wrath I have spoken; for as
much as you have borne the reproach of the nations; therefore
I Avill lift up my hand against the nations aiOund you; they
8 shall bear their own dishonour : but your grapes and your
fruits, Ο mountains of Israel, shall be eaten by my people. Be-
9 cause they have confident hopes of coming — because, lo! I
am over you, and I will watch over you; therefore you shall
10 be cultivated and sown: and upon you I will multiply men,
even the whole house of Israel; and the cities shall be rebuilt
11 and the wastes inhabited: and upon you I will multiply men
and cattle, and cause you to be inhabited as in your former
state. And I will deal kindly with you as I did in times of
12 old; and you shall know that I am the Lord. And I will cause
men, my people Israel, to increase upon you; and they shall in-
herit you, and you shall be a possession for them, and shall no
more be without a succession of children from them.
13 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, For as much as they said of
thee, "Thou art a devourer of men, and art bereft of thy na-
14 tion," Therefore thou shalt no more devour men nor make thy
15 nation childless, saith the Lord, Lord. And the revile of na-
tions shall no more be heard against you, nor shall you any
more bear the reproaches of peoples, saith the Lord, Lord.
16 Again a word of the Lord came to me, saying. Son of man,
17 when the house of Israel dwelt in their land, they polluted it
with their way and with their idols and with their impurities; and
their way was in my view as the uncleanness of a woman in
18 a state of separation; therefore I poured out my wrath against
19 them, and scattered them througli the nations, and dispersed
them through the countries: according to their way and accord-
20 ing to their sin I jijdged them. And when they went to the na-
tions, wherever they went they profaned my holy name, by say-
ing that they were the people of the Lord and had come from
21• his land; and that I liad spared them for the sake of that holy name
of mine, which they, the house of Israel, proilmed among the
22 nations wherever they went. Therefore say to the house of
. Israel, Thus saith the Lord, I deal thus with you, not for your
sakes, Ο house of Israel, but only for the sake of my holy
name, which you have profaned among the nations wherever
23 you went. For I will hallow my great name wliich hath been
Ch. XXXVI. EZEKIEL.
profaned, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and
the nations shall know that I am the Lord, when I am hallow-
24 ed by you before their eyes. When I take you from among the
nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and bring
25 you into your own land; then I will sprinkle upon you pure
Avater, and you shall be cleansed from all your impurities and
26 from all your idols; and when I have cleansed you, I will
give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you: 1 will take
away the stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a heart of
27 flesh: And I will put my spirit in you, and cause you to walk
m my statutes, and to keep my judgments and practise them.
28 And you shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers;
29 and you shall be my people and I will be your God. And I will
save you from all your impurities. And I will call for com
30 and multiply it: and no more send famine among you. And I
M'ill multiply the fruit of the trees and the products of the field;
that you may no more bear the reproach of famine among the
31 nations. Then will you call to remembrance your evil ways,
and your devices which were not good; and in their sight be
32 grieved for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not
for your sakes that I do this, saith the Lord, Lord. This you
must needs know. Blush and be ashamed for your ways, Ο
house of Israel.
33 Thus saith Adonai the Lord, when I have cleansed you
from all your iniquities, I will cause your cities to be rebuilded
34 and the desolate places shall be inhabited, and the land which
was a waste shall be tilled. For as much as it was a waste in
35 the sight of all who passed by; therefore they will say, "This
land which was a waste is become like a paradise, and the
waste, ruined and demolished cities are become places of
36 strength;" and the nations which may be left around you shall
know, that I the Lord have rebuilt the ruined cities, and plant-
ed the grounds which were a waste. I the Lord have spoken
37 and I λνίΐΐ perform. Thus saith Adonai the Lord, Still that they
38 may do this, the house of Israel must seek me. — I will multi-
ply them like a flock, the men like holy flocks, hke the flocks
of Jerusalem at her festivals. So shall the wasted cities be filU
ed with flocks of men, and they shall know that I am the.
Lord.
VOL. III. R r
Ch. XXXVII. EZEKIEL.
XXXVII. Then the hand of the Lord came upon me. And the
Lord led me out in spirit ai^d set me in the midst of a plain
2 which was full of human bones. And he led me all around
them. And lo 1 there was an immense quantity on the surface
3 of the plain, and they were very dry. And he said to me, Son
of man, shall these bones revive ? Whereupon I said, Lord,
Lord, thou knowest such thincrs.
4 Then he said to me. Prophesy concerning these bones
and say to them. Ye bones which are dry, hear a word of the
5 Lord, Thus saith the Lord to these bones. Behold I will
6 bring upon you a breath of life ; and upon you I will lay si-
news ; and I will bring flesh on you and stretch skin over you,
and put my breath in you and you shall live : and you shall
know, that I am the Lord.
7 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and it came to
pass that, when I had prophesied, behold there was a tremu-
lous motion and it brought the bones together, every one to
8 its proper place. And I beheld and lo ! sinews and flesh were
grown upon them, and skin covered them, but there was no
breath in them.
9 Then he said to me. Prophesy to the wind. Prophesy, Son
of man and say to the wind. Thus saith the Lord, From the
four winds, come and blow on these dead and let them live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath came into
them and they became alive and stood on their feet, an ex-
ceeding great multitude.
11 Then the Lord spoke to me saying, Son of man, these
bones are the whole house of Israel. Now they say, " Our
bones are become dry. Our hope is gone. We are wasted to
12 a shadow." Therefore prophesy and say. Thus saith the Lord,
Behold I will open your graves ; and bring you up out of
your tombs and bring you into the land of Israel, and you shall
know that I am the Lord.
13 When I have opened your graves that I may bring up my
people out of the graves I will then put my breath in you and
you shall live. And I will settle you in your own land ; and
you shall know that I am the Lord. I have spoken and I will
perform, saith the Lord.
Ch. ΧΧΧνίΓ. EZEKIEL.
15 Then a word of the Lord came to me sayings, Son of
man, take thee a staff and write thereon, '■'-Jiicla and the cliil-
16 dr en of Israel who adhere to him^'''* Then thou shalt take
thee another staff and write thereon, " For Joseph the staff
of Ephraim and all the children of Israel who adhere to himJ*^
17 Then thou shalt join them one to the other to be bound
together into one staff for thee, and they shall be in thy hand.
18 And when the children of thy people say to thee. Why dost
19 thou not tell us, what thou meanest by these ? Then thou
shalt say to them. Thus saith the Lord, Behold I will take the
tribe of Joseph which is administered by Ephraim and the tribes
of Israel which adhere to him, and add them to the tribe of
20 Juda, and they shall be one sceptre in the hand of Juda. And
while the staves on which thou hast written shall be in thy
21 hand before them, thou shalt say to them, Thus saith th•
Lord, Lord, Behold I will take the whole house of Israel from
among the nations, whither they went ; and I will gather them
from all those around them, and bring them to the land of
22 Israel, and make them a nation in my land even on the moun-
tains of Israel. And there shall be one chief over them. And
they shall no more be two nations ; nor shall they any more
be split into two kingdoms, that they may no more be pol-
23 luted with their idols. And I will deliver them from all their
iniquities and purify them from all their sins which they have
committed. And they shall be my people, and I the Lord will
24 be their God. And my servant David shall be chief among
them. He shall be singly the shepherd of all. Because they
will walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and prac-
25 tise them, therefore they shall dwell in that land of theirs
which I gave to my servant Jacob. Where their fathers dwelt
there they shall dwell and my servant David shall be the only
26 chief forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them.
It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will
27 place my sanctuary in the midst of them forever. And my
habitation shall be among them ; and I will be their God and
28 they shall be my people. And the nations shall know tkit I
am the Lord who sanctifieth them, by my sanctuary being in
the midst of them forever.
Ch. XXXVIII. EZEKIEL.
XXXVIII. XIX. AGAIN a word of the Lord came to
me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, and the land
of Magog, the prince of Ros, Mesoch and Thobel and pro-
phesy against him and say to him,
3 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, Behold I am against thee,
4 prince of Ros, Mesoch and Thobel. And I will gather thee
and all thine army, horses and horsemen all clad with coats of
mail — a great assembly with shields and helmets and swords,
5 Persians and Ethiopians and Libyans, all armed with helmets
6 and shields ; Gomer and all those around him, the house of
Thogarmar, from the extreme nordi, with all around him and
7 many nations with thee. Be prepared and make thyself ready,
thou and thy multitude assembled with thee; for thoushalt be to
8 me for a vanguard. After many days he will be in a state of pre-
paration, and in the last of years he will begin his march, and
come into the land which is Avithdrawn from the sword — the
land of them who have been collected from many nations, to
the land of Israel, which bad been made an entire desert. —
When he from nations hatli begun his march, they will be
9 all dwelling in peace. Then thou wilt come up like rain, and
advance like a cloud to cover the land. When thou shalt be
10 with all thy bands around thee, and many nations with thee ;
(Thus saith the Lord, Lord,) In that day things will come
into thy heart, and thou wilt form wicked devices and say,
11 " I Avill go up against an abject land : I shall come upon them
who are living at ease, and dwelling in peaceful security — all
inhabiting a land in which there is not a walled town, and who
12 have neither bars nor gates ; to take prey and to gather their
spoils, by turning my hand against this wasted country which
is re-settled, and against a nation gathered together from many
nations who have gotten wealth and inhabit the navel of the
earth.'*
13 Saba and Daidan and the merchants of Carthage, and all
their colonies, will say to thee. Thou art coming for prey,
just to collect plunder and spoil : thou hast assembled thy
troops to take silver and gold, to carry off cattle, to gather the
14 spoil. Therefore prophesy Son of man and say to Gog, Thus
saith the Lord, At the time when my people Israel shall be •
15 dwelling in peace, wilt thou not be roused ? Yes ; thou wilt
Ch. XXXIX. EZEKIEL.
come from thy place, from the extremity of the north : thou
and many nations with thee, all mounted on horses, a great
16 assembly, and a mighty army, will indeed come up against
my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land : in the latter
days I will bring thee up against my land, that all the na-
tions may know me when I am hallowed by thee in thdr
sight. —
17 Thus saith the Lord, Lord, to Gog, Thou art he of whom
I have spoken in former times, by the ministry of my servants
the prophets of Israel, that in these days and years I would
18 bring thee up against them. But it shall come to pass on that
day, on the day when Gog shall come against the land of
Israel, my wrath shall come up, saith the Lord, Lord, and ray
19 zeal. In the fire of mine indignation, I have spoken, there
shall indeed be on that day a great shock in the land of Israel.
20 At the presence of the Lord, the fishes of the sea shall be sha-
ken, and the birds of the air, and the beasts of the field, and
all the reptiles which creep on the earth, and all the men on
the face of the earth. And the mountains shall be rent to pieces,
and the vallies shall sink down, and every wall shall fall to
21 the ground. And for all this indeed I will call up terror saith
the Lord : every man's sword shall be against his brother. —
22 And I will execute judgment on him, with pestilence and
blood and with tempests of rain and hailstones ; and I will
rain down fire and brimstone on him, and on all with him,
even on the many nations with him. And I shall be magni-
23 fied and hallowed and glorified ; and made known in the
sight of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.
XXXIX. Thou therefore son of man, prophesy against Gog
and say. Thus saith the Lord, Lord, Behold I am against thee,
2 Gog, the prince of Ros, Mesoch and Thobel, and I will as-
semble thee and lead thee and cause thee to come from the
farthest north, and bring thee up to the mountains of Israel;
3 and I will destroy thy bow from thy left hand and thine arrows
from thy right; and overthrow thee on the mountains of Israel;
4 and thou and all who are around thee shall fall; and the nations
with thee shall be given to multit'Kles of birds, to all the
5 feathered tribe, and to all the wild beasts of the field I have
given thee to be devoured. On the open field thou slialt fall;
Ch. XXXIX. EZEKIEL.
6 for I have spoken, saith the Lord. I will indeed send a fire
against Gog and the isles shall be peaceably inhabited, and
7 they shall know that I am the Lord. And my holy name shall
be known in the midst of my people Israel; and my name
which is holy shall no more be profaned; and the nations shall
8 know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Behold it is
coming and thou shalt know that it will be, saith the Lord,
9 Lord; this is the day of which I have spoken, when they who
inhabit the cities of Israel shall come forth, and make fires with
the arms — with the shields and spears, and with bows and ar-
rows,and hand- staves and poles — even with these they shall make
10 fires seven years : so that they shall not have occasion to take
w^ood from the plains, nor to cut timber from tlie forests; but
shall burn the arms only. And they shall plunder their plunder-
1 1 ers; and spoil those who spoiled them, saith the Lord. And
on that day I will give Gog a noted place — a burying place m
Israel, the grave yard of strangers by the sea shore : and the
slope of the valley shall be enclosed with a wall; and there
Gog: and all his multitude shall be buried; and it shall then be
12 called tlie grave yard of Gog. For the house of Israel will bury
13 them, that the land may be cleansed. During seven months the
people of the land will be employed in burying them; and it
shall be to them a memorable epoch, " The day when he was
14 glorified^''^ saith the Lord. Then they will send men every where
to traverse the land, and bury them who are left on the face of
the ground, in order to purify it after the seven months. And
15 they will make diligent search. And every one who traverseth
the land, upon seeing a human bone, shall set up a mark near it;
16 till the buriers bury it at Gai, the grave yard of Gog: (for the
name of that city shall be called Grave Yard) thus shall the
land be cleansed.
17 Thou, therefore, son of man, say, Thus saith the Lord, Say
to every winged bird, and to all the wild beasts of the field,
Assemble and come : assemble from all around to my sa-
crifice, to the great sacrifice which I have made for you on
the mountains of Israel; and you shall eat flesh and drink
18 blood. You shall eat the flesh of giants and drink the blood of
the princes of the earth. Rams and young bulls and he goats;
19 and all the bulls are well fatted. And you shall eat fat till you
Ch. XL. EZEKIEL.
are glutted, and drink blood to satiety, at my sacrifice which I
20 have prepared for you. And you shall be filled at my table with
horses and horsemen, and with giants and every great war-
21 rior, saith the Lord. I will indeed display my glory among you,
and all the nations shall see my judgment Λvhich I have exe-
22 cuted, and my hand which I have brought upon them. And
the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God
23 from this particular time and thence forward. And all the na-
tions shall know, that the house of Israel were carried into
captivity for their sins. Because they broke covenant with me
therefore I turned away my face from them, and delivered
them into the hands of their enemies, and they all fell by the
24 sword. According to their pollutions and according to their
iniquities I dealt with them and turned away my face from
25 them. Therefore thus saith the Lord, I will now bring back
the captivity of Jacob, and have compassion on the house of
26 Israel. And I will shew a zeal for my holy name, when they
shall have suffered disgrace, for the rebellion of which they
27 were guilty, when they dwelt peaceably in their own land. And
there shall be none to make them afraid, when I have brought
them back from among the nations and gathered them from
28 the countries of the nations. So I shall be hallowed by them in
the sight of the nations and they shall know that I the Loril
am their God, xvhen I manifest myself to them among the na-
29 tions. And I will no more turn away my face from them, for
as much as I have poured out my wrath on the house of Is-
rael, saith the Lord, Lord.
XL. XX. IN the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in
the first month, on the tenth day of the month; the fourteenth
2 year after the city was taken; on that day the hand of the Lord
came upon me and in a vision of God brought me to the land
of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on which there
3 was a building before me resembling a city. And he led me
thither. Andlo ! a man, whose appearance resembled that of
sparkling brass; and in his hand a builder's line and a measur-
4 ing reed. And he stood at the gate. And the man whom I saw
said to me, Son of man, Behold with thine eyes and hear with
thine ears, and lay up in thy heart all that I shew thee; for thou
Ch. XL. EZEKIEL.
art come hither that I may shew thee and that thou mayst point
out to the house of Israel all that thou seest.
5 Now behold there was a wall on the outside of the house
all around; and the man had in his hand a reed of six cubits
long by the cubit and hand breadth, so he measured the outer
6 wall. The breadth equalled the reed and its height was equal
to the reed. Then he went up by seven steps to the gate front-
7 ing the east and measured the ailam of the gate which was
one reed broad; and the Thee was a reed long and a reed broad
— and the ailam between the Theelath was six cubits. And the
8 second 7726•ν" wasa reedlong and a reed broad and the ailam was
five cubits; and the third Thee was a reed long and a reed
9 broad. And the ailam of the gateway adjoining the ailajn of the
10 gate was eight cubits, and the aileus were two cubits. And
with regard to the aliems of the gate on the inside and the
Thees of the gate; the Thees were opposite to those without ;
three on one side of the gate and three on the other, all of the
11 same measure on this side and on that. And the ailams on both
sides were of the same measure. Then he measured the breadth
12 of the door of the gateway ten cubits. But the breadth of the
gateway was thirteen cubits comprehending a border of a cu-
bit on each side up to the face of the Thees : and the Thees on
13 each side were six cubits. Then he measured the gate from,
the outer wall of one Thee to the outer wall of the other Thee
14 twenty five cubits. This was gate upon gate. And the open
part of the ailam of the gate on the outside was twenty cubits,
15 the theims of the gate being round about; and including this
vestibule of the gate on the outside and the vestibule of the
16 gate on the inside the extent was fifty cubits. And all around
there were windows wide inwards and narrow outwards, for
the theims and the inner ailams of this gate of the court : and
on the windows for the ailams on the inside and on the ailams
17 there were palm trees on this side and that. Then he led me
to the court within; and lo ! here were houses for those em-
ployed in the holy service and ranges of columns all around
18 the court; there were thirty houses, in the peristyles or ranges
of columns and the porticos were behind the gate; the lower
row of columns being on a range with the gates. . ,
Ch. XL. EZEKIEL.
19 Then he measured the breadth of this court from the iii~
ner vestibule of the outer gate to the outer vestibule of a gate
20 facing the east, one hundred cubits. Then he led me north-
ward, and lo ! there was a gate to this outer court facing the
north, and he measured it, both the length and the breadth;
21 and the Thees three on each side and the aileus and the ailam-
mons and its palm trees. And the measures were the same
as those of the gate facing the east. Its length was fifty cubits
22 and its breadth twenty five cubits. And its windows and the
ailammons and its palm trees were the same as those of the
eastern gate and the ascent to it was by seven steps. But the
23 ailammons were on the inside. And there Λvas a gate to the
inner court facing this northern gate in the same manner as the
other did that to^the east. And he measured the court from
gate to gate, one hundred cubits.
24 Then he led me southward, and lo ! there was a gate
facing the south, and he measured it, and the Thees and the
aileus and the ailammons : and the measures were the same as
25 those mentioned. And its Avindows and the ailammons around
were the same as the windows of that other ailam. Its length
26 was fifty cubits and its breadth twenty five cubits. And it
had seven steps and an ailammon on the inside. It had also
27 palm trees on each side over the aileus. And this gate was di-
rectly opposite to the south gate of the inner court; and he
measured the court from gate to gate and the breadth on the
south side was a hundred cubits.
28 Then he led me to the inner court of the gate facing the
south, and he measured that gate, and its dimensions were the
29 same as those mentioned, and its Thees and its aileus and its
ailammons were cf the like dimensions. And there were win-
31 dows to it and to the ailammon round about. Its length was
fifty cubits and the breadth of its ailam on the outer court was
twenty five cubits, and there were palm trees over the aileus
and it had eight steps.
32 Then he led me to the gate facing the east, and measured
33 it according to the same measures. And its Thees anditsaileus
and its ailammons were of the measures above mentioned and
it had windows and an ailammon round about. Its length was
34 fifty cubits and its breadth twenty five cubits. And its ailam-
VOI. Ill, 3 S
Ch. XL. EZEKIEL.
mon was on the inner court, and there were palm trees over
the aileu on each side. And there were eight steps up to it.
35 Then he led me to the north gate and measured it accord-
36 ing to the same measures. And it had its Tliees and its aileus
and its ailammons and its windows around it, and an ailam-
mon peculiar to it. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth
37 twenty five cubits. And its ailammons were on the outer
court, and there were palm trees to the aileu, on each side and
38 eight steps up to it. Its houses for the priests, and its doors
and its ailammon were at the second gate. At this gate
39 facing the north there was a common sewer, that they might
40 there kill the sin offerings and the trespass offerings. And be-
hind the sev/er of the burnt offerings there were at this gate
facing the north, two tables facing the east. Also back of the
second gate, and of the ailam of the gate were two tables on
41 the east side. There were four on one side, and four on the
other, back of this gate. Upon these they slay the burnt offer-
ings. And over against these eight tables for the burnt offer-
42 ings, there were four tables of hewn stone for the whole burnt
offerings. The breadth of these was a cubit and a half, and
the length two cubits and half, and the height one cubit. On
these are to be laid the instruments with Avhich they kill the
43 whole burnt offerings and the sacrifices. They have therefore
each of them a border of a hand breadth hewn on the inside
all around; and over these tables there is a covering to defend
them from the rain, and the heat of the sun.
44 Then he led me into the inner court ; and lo ! there were
two apartments on the inner court ; one behind the north gate
facing the south; and one behind the south gate facing the
45 north. And he said to me, This apartment which faceth the
south is for the priests, who keep the Avatch of the house,
46 and that apartment facing the north is for the priests vv^ho have
the charge of the altar, namely the sons of Sadduk, the onl\
47 Levites who come near to the Lord to minister to him. Then
. he measured this court which was a hundred cubits long and
a hundred cubits broad, being four sqyarc. And the altar was
on one side in front of the house.
^3 Then he led me to the ailam of the house and measured
the ail of the ailam, five cubits the breadth. on each side and
Ch. XLI. EZEKIEL.
the width of the gateway was fourteen cubits ; and the cheeks
of the door of the ailam were three cubits on the one side and
49 three cubits on the other. And the length of the ailam was
twenty cubits and the breadth twelve cubits ; and tlie ascent
up to it was by ten steps. And there were pillars on the ailam,
one on the one side and one on the other.
XLI. Then he led me into the temple, and having measured the
2 ailam to it, which was six cubits broad on each side, and the
breadth of the gateway Avas ten cubits, and the cheeks of the
gateway five cubits on the one side, and five on the other, he
measured the length of the temple forty cubits, and the breadth
3 was twenty cubits. Now when he came to the inner apart-
ment he measm-ed the ail of the door two cubits, and the door
six cubits, and the cheeks of the door seven cubits on each
4 side. And he measured the length of the doors forty cubits,
and the breadth twenty cubits, commensurate with the front
5 of the temple. And he said, This is the Holy of Holies. Then
he measured the wall of the house, six cubits, and the breadth
of the gallery four cubits all around. And the galleries were
6 three times thirty ; one gallery over another twice. And there
was a ledge in the wall of the house for the galleries all around
to rest on, so as not to be fastened into the walls of the house,
7 and consequently this ledge of the house being added to the
upper gallery, all around the width of tlie upper gallery was
enlarged, by an additional breadth equal to this ledge as one
ascended from the lowermost to the second story, and from
8 the second to the third story. And the thrael of the house
— the top of the galleries around, including the ledges, was
9 a platform equal to the reed of six cubits. And the breadth
of the \vall on the out side of the gallery, was five cubits.• —
10 And the vacancies between the galleries of the house, and
the chambers Avere in breadth twenty cubits, including the
11 circumambient wall around the house. And the doors of the
chambers were on the vacancy on the one side of the house
facing the north, and on the other side of the house facing the
south. Now the vacancy for lighting the house was five cu-
bits all around. And the partition wall in front of this vacancy
was towards the west, seventy cubits broad ; its thickness all
around beii:2: five cubits ; and its lens-th was ninetv cubits.
Ch. XLll. EZEKIEL.
13 And he measured over against the house a length of a hundred
cubits. Now the vacancies and the partitions and their walls
14 were a hundred cubits. And the breadth in front of the house
15 including the vacancies on tlie sides Avas a hundred cubits. And
he measured the length of the partition Avail over against the
vacancy behind the house, and the length of it including the
vacancies on each side, was a hundred cubits.
16 Now the temple and the corners, and the outer ailam were
arched ; and the windows, the apertures for light through
Avhich they looked out from the three stories round about, were
netted, and the parts adjoining were planked, both the floor and
from the floor to the windows. And the windows in the three
stories, had shutters which folded back, to give an opportunity
17 of looking out at them. And near to the inner, and quite to the
18 outer door, there were sculptured, on the whole wall round
about, both within and without, cherubims and palm trees be-
19 tween cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces, a face
of a man towards the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion
- towards the palm tree on the other side. The house was sculp-
20 tured all around. From the floor to the vaulted cieling there were
21 cherubim and palm trees sculptured. And the sanctuary and
22 the open temple were squares. In front of the Holies there
was an appearance like that of an altar of wood. The height of
it was three cubits, and the length tw^o cubits, and the breadth
two cubits. And it had horns. iVnd its base and its sides were
of wood. And he said to me, This is the table which is in the
23 presence of the Lord. And the temple had two doors, and the
24 sanctuary had two doors. And these pairs of doors which folded
25 back had two leaves a piece. And on these there was sculpture.
Even upon the doors of the temple there were cherubim and
palm trees like the sculpture of the Holies. And there were
26 large beams on the front of the outer ailam, and windows nar-
row without and wide inwards.
XLII. Now when he had measured on this side and that to the
cieling of the ailam and to the galleries adjoining the house,
he then led me into the inner court on the east, conducting me
2 towards the north gate. And lo! there were five chambers adjoin-
ing the vacancy and the north partition wall, in length fronting
Ch. XLII. EZEKIEL.
3 the north one hundred cubits and in breadth fifty cubits, sculp-
tured in the same manner as the gates of the inner court and set
off in the same manner as the peristyles of the outer court with
4 a triple range of piazzas in front of the house. And over
against the chambers was a walk ten cubits broad and a hun-
5 dred cubits long and their doors were towards the north. And
in like manner there were walks for the upper stories. For the
upper piazza was taken from the building and out of that
which was a piazza below was made a platform. So there was
a piazza and a platform; and this was the case with two of the
(j piazzas, for there were three one above another. — But they
had not pillars like the pillars of the outer piazzas; therefore
the upper chambers were straightened more than the middle
7 and the middle more than those on the ground. And they had
light from without in the same manner as the chambers of
the outer court, in front of these chambers on the north,
8 the extent being fifty cubits. For the chambers which looked
into the outer court were fifty cubits deep and were the fore
9 front of these. The whole building was a hundred cubits long.
Now there were doors of these chambers opening into an en-
try facing the east. So there was a passage through them from
the outer court along this entry to the lighted walk at the head
10 of this passage. And with regard to those on the south in front
of that vacancy and in front of that partition wall, both the
11 chambers and the walk before them were of the same mea-
sures as those of the chambers on the north. Their length was
the same; and their breadth the same. And all their outlets
and all their windings were the same; and their lights and their
12 doors the same. And these chambers on the south had in like
manner doors from the head of the walk into an entry which
13 was a reed broad and gave a passage to the east. And he said
to me, these chambers on the north and those on the south
\vhich are in front of the vacancies, are the chambers of the
sanctuary, in which the priests the sons of Sadduk, who come
near to the Lord, are to eat the holy meats and where they arc
to lay up the most holy things, the sacrifice and the sin oiferings
and the trespass offerings. Because this is a holy place, none
14 but the priests are to go in diere. That they who offer up the
offerings may be continually holy, and that none may touch
Ch. XLIil. EZEKIEL.
the garments in which they minister because they are holy,
the priests must not go out from the sanctuary into the outer
court. And when they are to mix with the people they must
put on other garments.
13 Now when he had completed the measuring of the inner
house, he then led me out by the way of the gate facing the east
16 and measured the plot of the house all around in order. Hav-
ing taken a station behind the gate facing the east he measur-
17 ed five hundred cubits \vith the measuring reed. Then turn-
ing at the north he measured the north side five hundred cu-
18 bits with his measuring reed. Then turning at the west he
measured the west side five hundred with his measuring reed;
19 then turning at the south he measured five hundred with his
20 measuring rccd. The four sides of the height and breadth of
this same reed. And he appointed this, namely, the surround-
ing parapet wall which was five hundred cubits on the east
side and five hundred cubits broad to make a separation be-
tween the Holies and the vacant space before the wall, -which
Avas to be comprehended in the plot of the house.
XLIII. Then he brought me to the gate facing the east and
2 led me out, and lo! the glory of the God of Israel was coming
3 by the way of the east; and the sound of his march was like
the sound of redoubling multitudes and the earth glared with
the splendour of the glory around. And the vision which I
saw was like that which I beheld wlien I went to judge the
city. And the appearance of the chariot which I saw was the
4 same as that which I saw at the river Chobar. So I fell on my
face. And the glory of the Lord entered the house by the way
5 of the gate which faced the east. Then a spirit took me up
and brought me to the inner court. And lo! the house was fill-
6 ed with the glory of the Lord. So I stopped. And lo! a voice
from the house, of one speaking to me, and the man stood
7 near me. And he said to me, Son of man, Thou hast seen
the place of my throne and the place of my footsteps, where
my name should dwell in the midst of the house of Israel for-
ever, that the house of Israel may no more profane my holy
name; neither they nor their leaders, by their fornication and
8 by the murders of their leaders in the midst of them. By their
ji)ining my porch to their porches and their thresholds to my
Ch. XLIII. EZEKIEL.
thresholds they made my wall as it were common to me and
them and profaned my holy name by then• iniquities which
they committed. Therefore I destroyed them with my wrath
9 and with slaughter. But now let them put away their fornica-
tion and the murders of their rulers far from me; and I λ\ ill
10 dwell in the midst of them forever. And thou son of man;
shew the house of Israel this house and let them cease fron\
11 their sins. Point out the figure and arrangement of it; and let
them receive their punishment for all that they have done.
Delineate the house and its outlets and its whole figure
and make known to them the ordinances thereof and all the
rites thereof. And that they may keep my rules of rectitude
12 and all my ordinances and practise them, thou shalt sketch out
in their sight the draft of this house on the top of this moun-
tain, all the boundaries of it round about being Holy of Ho-
lies.
13 Now these are the measures of the altar by the cubit of a
cubit and a hand breadth — the curvature at the bottom a cu-
bit, that is the breadth of a cubit; and the border upon the
14 edge of it round about, a span. And this is the height of the
altar — from the lowest part of the beginning of its curvature
to the great propitiatory from beneath, two cubits; and its
breadth a cubit : and from the little propitiatory four cubits
15 and its breadth a cubit. Then the ariel four cubits and from
16 the ariel and upwards the horns one cubit. And the ariel is
twelve cubits long by twelve broad, the four angles and sides
17 being equal. And the propitiatory is fourteen cubits long and
fourteen cubits broad, its four sides being equal. And the bor-
der encircling it all around is half a cubit; and the compass of
it a cubit all around. And the steps up to it face the east.
18 Then he said to me, Son of man, Thus saith the Lord the
God of Israel, These are the ordinances of the altar on the day
19 when they make it, to offer thereon wholo burnt offerings and
to pour blood upon it. Thou shalt give a yoimg bull from the
herd for a sin offering to the priests, the Levites of the house
of Sadduk who come near to me, saith the Lord God, to mi-
20 nister to me; and they shall take some of the blood thereof and
put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of
the altar, and on the base round about and make atonement
Ch. XLIV. EZEKIEL.
21 for it. Then they shall take the young bull for the sin offering
and it shall be burned in the appointed place of the house
22 without the Holies. And on the second day they shall take
two kids of the goats without blemish for a sin oifering and
make atonement for the altar as they did with the young bull.
23 And after finishing this atonement they shall offer a young
baii from the herd without blemish, and a ram from the flock
24 without blemish. And you shall present them before the Lord;
and the priests shall throw salt upon them, and carry them up
25 as Avhole burnt ofterings for the Lord. For seven days thou
shalt offer every day a kid for a sin oifering and a young bull
26 from the herd and a ram from the flock. For seven days they
shall offer these sacrifices without blemish, and make atone-
ment for the altar and purify it and shall fill their own hands.
27 And from the eighth day and thenceforward the priests shall sa-
crifice upon the altar your whole burnt offerings and your of-
ferings of thanksgiving and I will accept you, saith the Lord.
XLIV. Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate
2 of these holy places, facing the east, and it was shut. And the
Lord said to me, This gate shall be kept shut. It shall not be
opened, nor shall any pass through it. Because the Lord God
3 of Israel will enter in at it, therefore it shall be kept shut. Con-
sequently, when the ruler himself shall sit there to eat bread
before the Lord, lie shall come in by the way of the ailam of
this gate and by that way he shall go out.
4 Then he brought me in by the way of the north gate over
against the house, and I beheld and lo ! the house of the Lord
5 was filled with glory and I fell on my flice. And the Lord said
to me, Son of man. Lay up in thy heart and see with thine
eyes and hear with thine ears, all that I say to thee concerning
all the ordinances of the house of the Lord and all the customs
thereof; and thou shalt attend diligently to the way of entering
into the house and to all the ways out of it in all these holy
6 places. And thou shalt say to this provoking house, to the
house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God, Let it suffice you,
7 Ο house of Israel, for all your iniquities, that you have intro-
duced strangers, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised
in flesh, to be present in these holy places of mine and to pro-
fane them whtn you were oifering loaves, flesh meat and
Ch. XLIV. EZEKIEL.
8 blood. You indeed broke my covenant by all your iniquities
and you appointed them to keep the watches in my holy places.
9 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, No stranger, uncircum-
cised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh shall enter into my
holy places. Among all the sons of other families which are
comprehended in the house of Israel none but the Levites only
10 shall enter. Such of these as Avcre drawn away from me when
Israel strayed from me after their own desires shall indeed bear
their iniquity and be ministering servants in my sanctuary.
1 1 They shall be porters at the gates of the house and minister-
ing servants for the house. They shall kill the sacrifices and
the \vhole burnt offerings for tlus people and they shall stand
12 before the people to wait upon them. Because they waited on
them before their idols, and this brought on Israel the punish-
13 mentof rebellion ; therefore I have lifted up my hand against
them, saith the Lord God, that they shall not come near me to
minister to me as priests, nor approach the holy things of the
children of Israel, nor to my Holy of Holies ; but shall bear
their dishonour for the error of which they have been guilty.
14 And they shall be compelled to keep the watches of the house,
to perform all the services of the house and all the services re-
quired of them by the priests, the Levites, the sons of Sad-
15-duk. These kept the watches of my siuictuary when the house
of Israel strayed from me. These shall approach me to minis-
ter to me. And they shall stand before me to offer unto me
16 sacrifice, suet and blood, saith the Lord God. These shall en-
ter into my sanctuary; and these shall come to my table to mi-
17 nister to me. And they shall keep my watches. And when
they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall be dressed
in linen robes and shall not wxar woollens, while they are of-
18 ficiating within the gate of the inner court. And they shall
have linen mitres on their heads, and linen drawers about their
19 loins. And they shall not be tightly girded. And when they
arc going out into the outer court to the people, they shall put
off their linen robes in which they minister and lay them up in
the chambers of the sanctuary and put on other robes. For with
20 those robes of theirs they must not hallow the people. More-
over they shall not shave their heads, nor pull out their hair by
21 the roots. They shiill keep their lieads covered. And none of
xo r . TTT. ■' t
Ch. XLV. EZEKIEL.
the priests shall drmk wine when they go into the inner court
22 Moreover they shall not take to wife a widow, nor one who
hath been divorced ; but only a virgin of the race of Israel.
However, if there be a widow of a priest, they may take her.
23 And they shall teach my people the dift'erence between what
is holy and what is common, and cause them to distinguish
24 between clean and unclean. And they shall attend at trials for
blood to pronounce sentence. They shall acquit according to
my statutes, and condemn according to my judgments. And
they shall keep all my rites and mine ordinances at all my fes-
25 tivals and shall hallow my sabbaths. iVnd they shall not go in
where there is a person dead, to defile themselves. Only for a
father or for a mother, or for a son or for a daughter, or for a
brother or for a sister that hath not been married, shall a priest
26 defile himself. And after he is purified thou shalt reckon for
27 him seven days. And on the day when they go into the inner
court to officiate in the sanctuary they shall offer an atonement,
28 saith the Lord God. Now with regard to their inheritance I
will be their inheritance, therefore no possession shall be given
them among the sons of Israel.
29 Because I am their possession, therefore they shall eat the
sacrifices and the sin offerings and the offerings for inadver-
30 tencies. Moreover every dedication in Israel shall be for
them. — All the first fruits and all the firstlings and all obla-
tions. Of all your first fruits a part shall be for the priests,
therefore you shall give your first fruits to the priest that your
31 blessings may rest on your houses. But whatever hath died of
itself and whatever hath been torn by wild beasts, whether it
be of fowls or of cattle, the priests shall not eat.
XLV. Moreover when you parcel out the land for possessions,
you shall set apart for the Lord an oblation from the land, a
holy portion twenty five thousand cubits in length and twenty
2 thousand cubits in breadth. It shall be holy in all its borders
round about. And out of this shall be the holy portions, five
hundred cubits by five hundred cubits, a square all around, and
3 a vacancy of fifty cubits all around it. Out of the measurement,
when thou shalt measure oft' a length of twenty five thousand
and a breadth of twenty thousand, part shall be for the Holy of
Holies and part shall be for the priests who minister in the
Ch. XLV. EZEKIEL.
4 sanctuary. There shall be both for them who draw near to
minister to the Lord, and there shall be for the others, a place
5 for houses set apart in their holy portions. The length of
twenty five thousand and the breadth of twenty thousand shall
be for the Levites who serve in the house. They shall have for
6 a possession cities to dwell in. And for the possession of the
city thou shalt give five thousand in breadth and twenty five
thousand in length. This, in the same manner as that set apart
for the sanctuary, shall belong to the whole house of Israel.
7 And on each side of these there shall be allotted for the ruler,
adjoining the holy oblation and the possession of the city, the
tracts in front of the holy oblation and the possession of the
city, both westward and eastward; and the length shall be like
one of the portions from the boundaries on the sea to the east-
8 em border of the land. And this shall be his possession in Is-
rael. And the rulers of Israel shall no more oppress my people
and the house of Israel shall possess the land according to their
tribes.
9 Thus saith the Lord God, let this suffice you; Ο princes of
Israel. Put an end to injustice and misery. Execute judg-
10 ment and justice. Remove oppression from my people, saith
the Lord God. Let your weights and measures be just. Let
11 your chenix be the just part of the measure; and let the che-
nix uniformly contain the tenth of a gomar. Let a chenix and
12 a tenth of a gomar, as it respecteth a gomar, be equal. And the
weights shall be twenty oboli, five shekels, fifteen shekels. And
fifty shekels shall be your mna.
1 3 Now this shall be the oblation which you shall set apart, a
14 sixth of a measure from the gomar of wheat and the sixth of
the same ephah from the core of barley. And the ordinance of
oil shall be one cotula of oil from ten cotulas; for the ten cotu-
15 las are a gomar. And a sheep from the flock, from every ten,
shall be an oblation from all the families of Israel for sacrifices
and for whole burnt offerings and for offerings of thanksgiving
16 to make atonement for you, saith the Lord God. And all the
people shall give this oblation to the ruler of Israel; and by the
ruler shall be given the whole burnt offerings and the sacrifi-
ces and the libations at the festivals and at the new moons and
17 on the sabbaths. At all the festivals of the house of Israel he
Ch. XLVI. EZEKIEL
shall make the sin offerings and the sacrifices and the whole
burnt offerings and the offerings of thanksgiving to make atone-
ment for the house of Israel.
18 Thus saith the Lord God, In the first month on the first
day of the month, you shall take from the herd a young bull
19 without blemish, to make atonement for the sanctuar3\ And
the priest shall take some of the blood of the atonement and
put it on the door posts of the house and on the four corners of
the temple and on the altar and. on the posts of the gate of the
20 inner court. And in like manner thou shalt do in the seventh
month. On the first of that month thou shalt receive a portion
from every individual and you shall make atonement for the
21 house. And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of this
22 month, shall be your paschal festival. Seven days you shall eat
unleavened bread. And on that day the ruler shall offer, for
himself and his house and for all the people of the land, a young
23 bull for a sin offering. And during the seven days of the fes-
tival he shall offer as whole burnt offerings to the Lord, seven
young bulls and seven rams without blemish, every day du-
ring the seven days; and for a sin offering, a kid of the goats
24 every day with a sacrifice. And thou shalt prepare a cake for
the bull and cakes for the rams, with a hin of oil to the cake.
25 And in the seventh month, on the fifteenth of the month, at that
festival thou shalt do in like manner, during seven days, as well
in regard to the sin offerings as to the Avhole burnt offerings and
the cakes and the oil.
XLVI. Thus saith the Lord God, The gate of the inner court
which faceth the east, shall be kept shut the six working days.
On the day of the sabbaths it must be opened and on the day
2 of the new moon it shall be opened. And the ruler shall go in
by the way of the ailam of the gate on the inside and shall
stand in the porch of the gate. And the priests shall prepare
his whole burnt offerings and his offerings of thanksgiving; and
he shall make his adoration in the porch of the gate and go out.
3 But the gate shall not be shut till evening. And the people of
the land shall make their adorations on a range with the porch
of this gate, both on the sabbath days and at the new moons,
4 before the Lord. And on the sabbath days the ruler sliall offer .
to the Lord, for whole burnt offerings, six lambs without blem-
Ch. XLVI. EZEKIEL.
ish and a ram without blemish and a libation and cake for the
5 ram; and for the lambs, a sacrifice, a free will oftering with
a hin of oil to every cake; and on the day of the new moon a
6 young bull without blemish and six lambs and a ram which
7 shall be without blemish; and there shall be a cake for the
ram and a cake for the young bull with a libation, and for the
8 lambs a voluntary gift and a hin of oil to every cake. And Avhen
the ruler cometh in he shall come in by the way of the ailam
9 of the gate, but he shall go out by the way of the gate.
And when the people of the land come in beibre the Lord at
the festivals, he who cometh in at the north gate to worship,
shall go out at the south gate: and he who cometh in at the
south gate shall go out at the north gate. He shall not turn
back to the gate at which he entered, but shall go out straight
10 forward. And if the ruler is in the midst of them when they
come in, he shall come in with them, and when they go out he
11 shall go out. Both at the festivals and at the general assem-
blies there shall be a libation and cake for the young bull and
a cake for the ram; and for the lambs a voluntary gift with a
12 hin of oil for every cake. And if the ruler shall make a volun-
tary whole burnt offering of thanksgiving to the Lord, he may
cause to be opened for himself the gate facing the east and
make his whole burnt offering and his offerings of thanksgiv-
ing in the same manner as he doth on the day of the sabbaths.
Then he shall go out, and after he is gone out he shall cause
13 the gates to be shut. — Moreover he shall every day prepare a
lamb of the first year without blemish for a Avhole burnt offer-
14 ing to the Lord. In the morning he shall prepare it; and every
morning he shall prepare the hbation for it, the sixth of the mea-
sure and the third of an hin of oil to mix up the offering of
15 fine flour for the Lord. This is a standing order, you shall of-
fer the lamb and its libation. And you shall offer the oil every
morning. It is a continual whole burnt offering.
16 Thus saith the Lord God, If the ruler make a gift to one
of his sons out of his inheritance, his sons shall hold it as an
17 hereditary possession ; but if he make a gift to one of his
servants, it shall be his to the year of jubilee, and shall theji
18 revert to the ruler. None but his sons shall have an heredi-
tary right. The ruler must not take any part of the people's
Ch. XLVII. EZEKIEL.
inheritance by oppression. Out of his own possessions he
shall give an inheritance to his sons, that my people may not
be driven eveiy one from his possession.
19 Then he led me to the entrance of the passage behind
the gate, leading to the chambers of the priests facing the
20 north. And lo ! here was a place set apart. And he said to
me, This is the place where the priests are to boil the tres-
pass offerings, and the sin offerings and where they are to
bake all the offerings of flour, that they may not carry them
out into the outer court, for fear of hallowing the people.
21 Then he led me to the outer court and conducted me round
the four sides of the court. And lo ! a court at the four cor-
22 ners of this court. At every corner a court ; a court with
four sides ; and the little»couit of this court was forty cubits
25 long and thirty cubits broad. The four were of the same mea-
sure ; and in them were chambers around the four. And un-
24 der these chambers round about were kitchens. And he said
to me, These are the houses of the cooks, where they who
minister in the house are to boil the sacrifices of the people.
XLVII. Then he brought me to the vestibule of the house,
and lo! water gushed out from under the porch eastward ; for
the front of the house faced the east ; and the water ran down
2 from the right corner, from the south, by the altar. And he
led me out by the way of the north gate, and conducted me
round on the outside to the gate facing the east ; and lo ! the
water flowed down from the right corner, as a man cometh
3 out. And having a measure in his hand, he measured a thou-
sand with the measure, and waded across a purling stream.
4 Then he measured a thousand with the measure, and waded
through water up to the thighs. Then he measured a thou-
5 sand and waded through water up to the loins. Then he mea-
sured a thousand and could not cross it ; for it was swelled
6 to an impassable torrent. And he said to me, Hast thou seen,
Son of man ? Then he led and brought me back along the
7 border of the river. And on my return, behold there were
on the bank of the river, trees in great abundance on both
8 sides. And he said to me. This water which is flowing out
to the eastern part of Galilee, hath indeed gone down to Ara-
Ch. XLVII. EZEKIEL.
bia, and hath come to the sea to the water of the outlet, and it
9 will heal the waters ; so that every of the animals which breed
in all the places whithersoever the stream cometh, shall live,
and there shall be fish there in great abundance. Because this
water is come there and healeth, therefore they shall live. —
10 Every thing to \vhich the stream cometh shall live. And fisli-
ermen shall there take a stand, from Engadin to Enagallim.
There shall be a place for drying nets. The nets shall be of
a peculiar kind ; and the fishes thereof shall be like the fishes
11 of the great sea; a very great multitude. But when it is forced
from its channel and when it is turned from its course, and
when it is caused to swell immoderately, the waters will not
12 heal. They are turned into salt. And along the river there
shall spring up on both banks, all sorts of trees fit for food.
Their leaves shall never fade ; nor shall their fruit ever fail.
They shall always be in the act of producing fresh fruit, be-
cause the waters which nourish them flow down from the
sanctuary. And their fruit shall be for food, and their leaves
for medicine.
13 Thus saith the Lord God, These are the boundaries of the
land, which you shall inherit. It is an allotted portion for the
14 twelve tribes of Israel. And you shall inherit it, one as well as
another. It is that for which I lifted up my hand that I would
15 give it to their fathers; therefore this land shall fall to you for
an inheritance, and these are the boundaries of the land — on
the north from the great sea which cometh down and the bay
16 of Emaseldam, Maabtheras, Ebrameliam between the bor-
ders of Damascus and the borders of Emathei, the court of
17 Saunan, which are above the borders of Auranitis, these are the
borders from the sea; from the court of Ainan the borders of
18 Damascus. These are the northern boundaries. And with re-
gard to the borders on the east between Loranitis and between
Damascus and between Galaditis and the land of Israel, the
Jordan is the boundary to the sea which is eastward in front
19 of Phoenicon. These are the eastern boundaries. And on the
south the boundaries are from Thaiman and Phoenicon to the
water of Marimoth Kadem, thence to the great sea. This is
20 the southern boundary. Thence a part of the great sea is the
boundary to over against the bay of Emath even to the en-
Ch. XLVIII. EZEKIEL.
trance thereof. These are the boundaries to the sea of Emath.
21 And you shall measure out this land for them to the tribes of
22 Israel. You shall parcel it out by lot among you and the pro-
selytes who dwell among you. Whoever have begotten sons
among you shall be yours as natives among the children of
Israel. With you they shall enjoy an inheritance among the
23 tribes of Israel, but they shall be classed in the tribe of pro-
selytes among the proselytes who are with you. There you
shall give them an hiheritance, saith the Lord God.
XLVIII. Now these are the names of the tribes beginning
northward along the bay to the harbour of Emath, the court
of Ailam, the border of Damascus northward, along part of
Emath Aula; and they shall have from their eastern boundaiy
2 to the sea one portion for Dan. And bordering on Dan from
3 the eastern boundary to the sea a portion for Aser. And bor-
dering on Aser from the eastern boundary to the sea a por-
4 tion for Nephthaleim; and bordering on Nephthaleim from the
5 eastern boundary to the sea, a portion for Manasses; and bor-
dering on Manasses from the eastern boundary to the sea, a
6 portion for Ephraim ; and bordering on Ephraim from the
7 eastern boundary to the sea, a portion for Reuben; and bor-
dering on Reuben from the eastern boundary to the sea, a por-
8 tion for Juda; and bordering on Juda from the eastern bounda-
ry shall be the dedicated portion twenty five thousand cubits
broad and the length like one of the portions from the eastern
boundary to the sea, so the sanctuary shall be in the midst of
9 them. The oblation which you shall set apart for the Lord
shall be twenty five thousand cubits long and twenty five
10 thousand broad. Out of these there shall be for the priests
the holy dedication, on the north side tAventy five thousand
and on the west side ten thousand and on the south side twen-
ty five thousand. And the mountain of the Holies shall be in
11 the midst of it. To the priests, the consecrated sons of Sad-
duk, who keep the watches of the house, who were not led
12 astray in the apostasy of the children of Israel, as the Levites
were, even to them this dedicated portion is given out of the
dedicated portions of the land, as a Holy of Holies, apart
from the Levites : and to the Levites shall be given, adjoin-
13 ingthe borders of the priests, a portion twenty five thousand
Ch. XLVIII. EZEKIEL.
cubits long and ten thousand broad; the whole being twenty
14 five thousand in length and twenty thousand in breadth. No
part of this shall be sold ; nor shall it be parcelled out; nor
shall the first fi-uits of this land be set apart; for it is dedicated
15 to the Lord. And with regard to the overplus twenty five
thousand in length and five thousand broad, out of it there shall
be a plot for the city, for building and for the open walk around
16 it. Now the city shall be in the middle of it, and these shall
be its dimensions — on the north, four thousand five hundred
cubits; and on the south, four thousand five hundred; and on
the east, four thousand five hundred; and on the west, four
17 thousand five hundred. And the open walk for the city shall
be on the north, two hundred and fifty, and on the south, two
hundred and fifty, and on the east, two hundred and fifty, and
18 on the west, two hundred and fifty. And the residue of the length
adjoining the holy dedication, ten thousand on the east and ten
thousand on the west side shall be dedicated portions, and
they who occupy the city shall have the products thereof for
19 bread. It may be worked by any out of all the tribes of Israel
20 who occupy the city. The whole oblation twenty five thou-
sand by twenty five thousand shall be a square. From it you
shall set apart the oblation for the sanctuary bordering on the
21 possession of the city. And the residue on the one side and the
other shall be for the ruler, bordering on the holy dedications
and along the possession of the city for twenty five thousand
in length, and thence to the eastern boundary and westward
by twenty five thousand to the western boundary. Adjoining
these portions of the ruler shall be the holy oblation. And the
dedication appropriate to the house shall be in the middle of
22 it and taken from the Levites, and shall border on the posses-
sion of the city which is in the middle between the ruler's
portions. And it shall be between the borders of Juda and tlie
23 borders of Benjamin and the portions of the ruler. And with
respect to the rest of the tribes, there shall be from the eastern
24 boundary to the sea, a portion for Benjamin : and bordering
on Benjamin from the eastern boundary to the sea, a portion
25 for Symeon : and bordering on Symeon, from the eastern
26 boundary to the sea, a portion for Issachar : and bordering on
Issachar from the eastern boundary to the sea, a portion for
VOL. IT I. U U.
Ch. XLVIIl. EZEKIEL.
27 Zabulon : and bordering upon Zabulon from the eastern
boundary to the sea, a portion for Gad : and the borders of
28 Gad shall be from the eastern boundary and on the south
along^ by the border of Thaiman and the water of Baremoth
29 Kades included in his possession, to the great sea. This is
the land which you shall parcel out by lot among the tribes of
Israel : and these are their portions, saith the Lord God.
30 Moreover these shall be the streets of the city, those
31 running northward four thousand five hundred cubits; and the
gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three
gates facing the north, one gate Reuben, one gate Juda and
32 one gate Levi; and those running eastward four thousand five
hundred cubits, with three gates, one gate Joseph and one
33 gate Benjamin and one gate Dan : and those running south-
ward, four thousand five hundred cubits with three gates, one
34 gate Symeon and one gate Issachar and one gate Zabulon;
and those running westward four thousand five hundred cu-
bits with three gates, one gate Gad, and one gate Aser and
one gate Nephthaleim. The circumference eighteen thousand.
And the name of the city from the day it is built shall be the
name it now hath.
DANIEL.
I. IN the third year of the reign of Joakim king of Juda, Na-
buchodonosar the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and be-
2 sieged it. And the Lord delivered into his hand Joakim king
of Juda and a part of the vessels of the house of God, which
he carried to the land of Sennaar to the house of his god : and
having deposited the vessels in the treasure house of his god,
3 the king ordered x\sphanez his high chamberlain to bring in
of the children of the captivity of Israel, namely, of the seed
4 royal and of the nobility, some youths who had no blemish,
and who were of a good countenance, studious of every sci-
ence, improved in knowledge and understanding and quali-
fied to stand in the house before the king; and to instruct them
5 in the learning and language of the Chaldeans. And the king
ordered them a daily allowance from the king's table, and of
the wine for his own drinking; and that they should be diet-
ed for- three years and after that stand before the king.
Ch. II. DANIEL.
6 Now there were among them of the children of Juda, Da-
7 niel and Ananias and Azarias and Misael; and the high cham-
berlain gave them names, to Daniel, Baltasar; and to Ananias,
Sedrach; and to Misael, Misach; and to Azarias, Abdenago.
8 And Daniel having resolved not to pollute himself with th© ta-
ble of the king nor \vith the wine which he drank, intreated the
9 chamberlain that he might not be defiled. Now God had
brought Daniel into favour and compassion with the high
10 chamberlain, therefore the chamberlain said to Daniel, I am
afraid of my lord the king who hath appointed your meat and
your drink. Perhaps he may see your countenance more un-
comely than the youths of your age, and you may endanger
11 my head with the king. Thereupon Daniel said to Amelsad,
whom the high chamberlain had set over Daniel, Ananias,
12 Misael and Azarias, Try thy servants, we pray thee, ten days,
and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink; and
13 let our countenances and the countenances of the youths who
eat of the king's table be examined in thy presence; and, as
14 thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he hearkened to them
15 and tried them ten days. And at the end of the ten days their
countenances appeared more comely and their flesh firmer
than that of the youths, who had eaten of the king's table;
16 whereupon Amelsad took away the food and the wine for
17 their drink and gave them vegetables. And as for these four
youths, God gave them knowledge and understanding in all
literature and science ; and Daniel was skilled in all visions
18 and dreams. And at the end of the years which the king had
appointed for introducing them, the high chamberlain brought
19 them in before Nabuchodonosar. And the king conversed
Avith them. And among them all there were none found equal
to Daniel and Ananias and Misael and Azarias. So they stood
20 before the king. And in every subject of wisdom and science
on which the king questioned them he found them ten times
mere skilled than all the soothsayers and the magians who
were in the realm. And Daniel continued to the first year of
Cyrus the king.
II. Nabuchodonosar, in the second year of his reign, dreamed
a dream and his spirit was troubled and his sleep went from 1
Ch. II. DANIEL.
2 him. And the king gave orders to call the soothsayers and the
magians and the chymists and the Chaldees that they might
3 tell the king his dream. And when they were come and stood
before the king, the king said to them, I have dreamed and
4 my mind is anxious to know the dream. Whereupon the
Chaldees said to the king in Syriac, Ο king, live forever. Tell
5 thy servants the dream and we will explain the meaning. The
king answered the Chaldees, The subject is gone from me. If
you do not tell me the dream and the interpretation you shall
be put to death and your houses shall be exposed to plunder.
6 But if you let me know the dream and the interpretation, you
shall receive of me gifts and immunities and great honour. At
all events, tell me the dream and the meaning of it. They an-
swered again and said. Let the king tell his servants the dream
8 and we will explain the meaning. In reply to which the king
said, I know of a truth that you want to gain time, as you see
9 the matter is gone from me. If therefore you do not tell me the
dream, I take it for granted that you have agreed upon some-
thing false and fictitious to be said before me,until the time elapse.
10 Tell me my dream, then I will know that you can tell me the mean-
ing of it. The Chaldees answered in the presence of the king
and said, There is not a man on the earth who can make known
what the king requireth; nor doth any king or ruler, however
great, ask such a thing, of any soothsayer, magian or Chaldee.
11 For the thing which the king requireth is so difficult, that there
is none who can lay it before the king, but the gods only, whose
12 dwelling is not with flesh. Upon this the king in furious wrath
gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the
decree went forth. And when the wise men began to be slain —
13 (Now search had been made for Danielandhis friends to slay
14 them and Daniel had then addressed Arioch, the king's mar-
shal, who was going out to slay the wise men of Babylon,
15 touching the counsel and decree, *' Why, Ο chief of the king,
16 hath this horrid sentence gone forth from the king's presence?"
And when Arioch informed Daniel of the matter, Daniel had
intreated the king to grant him time and he would tell the
17 king the meaning of it; and Daniel had gone to his house and
18 acquainted his friends Ananias, Misael and Azarias with the
afiair; and they had sought mercy of the God of heaven touch-
Ch. II. DANIEL.
ing this secret, that Daniel and his friends might not perish
19 with the rest of the wise men of Babylon : and the secret was
revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night; whereupon he
20 blessed the God of heaven, and said, " Blessed be the name
21 of God from everlasting to everlasting; for wisdom and know-
ledge are his; and he changeth times and seasons. He setteth up
kings and removeth them. He giveth wisdom to the wise and
22 understanding to them who have knowledge. He it is who re-
vealeth deep and hidden things. He knoweththe things which
23 are in darkness. And with him is the light. To thee, Ο God
of my fathers, I give thanks and praise ; because thou hast
given me wisdom and power and hast made known to me
what we asked thee and hast revealed to me the vision of the
king.)
24 Then Daniel went to Arioch whom the king had appoint-
ed to slay the wise men of Babylon, and said to him. Destroy
not the wise men of Babylon ; but introduce me to the king,
25 and I will tell him the meaning. Thereupon Arioch with
haste introduced Daniel to the presence of the king and said
to him, I have found among the captives of Israel, a man
26 who can tell the king the interpretation. And the king ad-
dressing Daniel, whose name was Baltasar, said, Canst thou
27 tell me the dream which I saw, and the meaning of it ? And
Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said. The
secret which the king demandeth, it is not in the power of wise
28 men, magians, sooth sayers, gazarenes, to tell the king. There
is none but God in heaven who revealeth secrets. He indeed
hath made known to the king Nabuchodonosar what must
come to pass in latter days. With regard to thy dream, and
29 the visions of thy head, on thy bed, this is it. Thy thoughts,
Ο king, on thy bed ascended to what might come to pass
hereafter. And he who revealeth secrets made known to thee
30 the things which must come to pass. And to me this secret
was revealed, not indeed for any wisdom in me above all the
living: but for the purpose of making the interpretation known
to the king, that thou mayst know the thoughts of thy heart.
31 Thou, Ο king ! didst behold, and lo ! an image ! Great was
that image and its aspect lofty as it stood before thee; and its
32 appearance was awful. It was an image, the head of which
Ch. Π. DANIEL.
was of pure gold ; the hands and the breast and the arms of
it were of silver ; the belly and the thighs of brass : the legs
33 of iron ; the feet partly of iron, and partly of potter's clay. —
34 With wonder thou didst view it, till from a mountain there
was rent without hands a stone, which smote the image on the
feet, which were of iron and potters clay, and at last broke
35 them to pieces. Then were broken to pieces at once, the clay,
the iron, the brass, the silver, the gold. And they became like
the dust of a threshing floor in summer : and a great wind
,swept them away, and there was no place found for them.
And the stone which smote the image became a great moun-
36 tain and filled all the earth. This is the dream. The mean-
57 ing of it we will now explain to the king. Thou Ο king, art
a king of kings, to whom the God of heaven hath given a king-
dom, strong and mighty and glorious, in every place where
38 the sons of men dwell. Into thy hand he hath delivered the
beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, and the fishes of
39 the sea, and appointed thee lord over all. Thou art the head
of gold. And after thee there shall be raised up another king-
dom inferior to thee; then a third kingdom which is the brass,
40 which shall rule over the whole earth ; then a fourth kingdom
which shall be strong as iron. As iron breaketh to pieces and
4Ί subdueth all things, so shall it break and subdue all. And
inasmuch as thou sawest the feet and toes, partly of clay and
partly of iron, it shall be a disjointed kingdom, though there
shall be in it some of its iron root. As thou sawest the iron
42 mixed with the clay ; and the toes of the feet were part iron,
and part clay, some part of that kingdom will be strong and
43 some part of it will be broken. Inasmuch as thou sawest the
iron mingled with the clay, there will be mixtures in it, of the
seed of men, and they will not cement one with another, as
44 iron doth not cement with clay. And in the days of those
kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall
never be destroyed ; and this kingdom of his shall not be left
to another people. It shall break in pieces, and blow away all
45 those kingdoms and shall itself stand forever. As thou sawest
that without hands there was cut from a mountain a stone, which
broke in pieces the clay, the iron, the brass, the silver, the .
gold ; the God \^'ho is great, hath made known to the king
Ch. III. DANIEL.
what must come to pass hereafter. The dream indeed is true
and the interpretation thereof is faithful.
46 Then king Nabuchodonosar fell on his face, and made
obeisance to Daniel and ordered holy gifts, and sweet odours
47 to be offered to him. And the king answered and said to Da-
niel, Of a truth, your God is the God of Gods, and the Lord
of kings, the revealer of secrets ; since thou hast been enabled
48 to reveal this secret. Then the king raised Daniel to high rank
and gave him many great gifts, and set him over the whole re-
gion of Babylon, and a chief satrap over all the wise men of
49 Babylon. And Daniel requested of the king, and he set Se-
drach, Misach and Abdenago, over the works of the region
of Babylon. And Daniel was in the court of the king.
III. In the eighteenth year of Nabuchodonosar, the king made
an image of gold ; the height of it Avas sixty cubits, and its
breadth six cubits. And having set it up in the plain of Dee-
2 ira, in the province of Babylon, he sent for the presidents and
the generals, and the governors, rulers and princes, and those
in authority, and all the chiefs of the provinces, to come to
the dedication of the image which Nabuchodonosar the king
3 had set up. And when the governors, the presidents, the ge-
nerals, the leaders, the great princes, those in authority, and
all the chiefs of the provinces were assembled for the dedica-
tion of the image which Nabuchodonosar the king had set up,
and were standing before the image, the herald cried \vith a
4 loud voice. To you peoples of different tribes and languages
5 command is given ; whenever you shall hear the sound of the
trumpet and syrinx and of the kithara and sambuk and of the
psaltery, and all kinds of musical instruments, prostrate your-
selves and worship the golden image which Nabuchodonosar
6 the king hath set up. And whoever will not prostrate himself
and worship, shall that very hour be cast into that furnace of
fire, which is heating.
7 So when the people heard the sound of the trumpet and
syrinx, and of the kithara and sambuk, and of the psaltery,
and all kinds of musical instruments, all the peoples, tribes and
languages, falling prostrate, worshipped the golden image
8 which Nabuchodonosar the king had set up. Then came certain
Chaldeans, and stated to the king an accusation against th^
Ch. ΠΙ. DANIEL.
9 Jews, " Ο king, live forever ! thou, Ο king, hast made a de-
10 cree, that every man who shall hear the sound of the trumpet
and syrinx and of the kithara and sambuk, and of the psaltery
11 and all kinds of musical instruments; and who will not pros-
trate himself and worship the golden image, shall be cast into
12 that furnace of fire which is heated. Now there are certain
Jews whom thou hast set over the works of the province of
Babylon, namely, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, who have not
hearkened, Ο king, to thy decree. They neither serve tliy gods,
nor do they Avorship the golden image which thou hast set up."
13 Upon this Nabuchodonosar in wrath and fury commanded
to bring Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago: and when they were
14 brought before the king, Nabuchodonosar addressed them, say-
ing. Is it true, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, that you do not
serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have
15 set up? Now therefore are you ready, when you hear the
sound of the trumpet and syrinx and of the kithara and sam-
buk and of the psaltery and symphony and all kinds of musi-
cal instruments, to fall prostrate and worship the golden image
which I have made? For if you do not worship you shall, that
very hour, be cast into the furnace of fire, which is heated.
16 And what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?
In reply to this, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago said to the king
17 Nabuchodonosar, We are at no loss to answer thee in respect
to this matter. For our God in heaven, whom we worship, is
able to deliver us out of the furnace of fire which is heated,
18 and he will deliver us, Ο king, out of thy hands. But even
though he do not, be it known to thee, Ο king, that we can-
not serve thy gods, nor will we worship the image which thou
19 hast set up. At this Nabuchodonosar was filled with wrath, and
the form of his countenance was changed against Sedrach, Mi-
sach and Abdenago. And he ordered to heat the furnace seven
20 fold, till it was hot as possible: and commanded some strong
men to bind Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago, and cast them
21 into the furnace of fire which was heated. Then were these
men bound, clad as they were Avith their Babylonish dress and
with turbans and boots; and cast into, the midst of the furnace
of fire which was heated, as the command of the king was pe-
22 remptory. But though the furnace was heated to an excessive
Ch. IV. " DANIEL.
degree and these three men, Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago fell
23 bound into the midst of the glowing furnace, yet they walked
about in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the
24 Lord. When Nabuchodonosar heard them singing praise he
was amazed and starting up hastily said to his nobles. Did we
not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? And when
25 they said to the king. True, Ο king, the king said. Here I see
four men loose and walking about in the midst of the fire un-
26 hurt: And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of a god.
Then Nabuchodonosar went near to the mouth of the burning
fiery furnace and said, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, ye• ser-
vants of the Most High God, come out and come hither. Upon
which Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago came forth out of the
27 midst of the fire. And the satraps and the generals and the go-
vernors and the mighty men of the king gathered round and
viewed the men with astonishment; for the fire had not had
any power over their body. Even the hair of their heads was
not singed, nor were their mantles changed, nor a smell of fire
28 on them. Then Nabuchodonosar the king addressing them,
said, "Blessed be the God of Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago,
who hath sent his angel and delivered his servants. Because
they have trusted in him and have altered the king's decree
and delivered up their bodies to fire that they might not serve
nor worship any god, but only their own God, therefore I issue
29 this decree, "Every people, tribe, language, which shall utter
any reproach against the God of Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago,
shall be devoted to destruction and their houses to plunder: for
there is no other god who can deliver in this manner."
30 Then the king reinstated Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago
in the province of Babylon, and advanced them in dignity and
honoured them with a command over all the Jews in his realm.
IV. NABUCHODONOSAR the king, to all the peoples,
tribes and languages Λνΐιο dwell in all the earth: Peace be mul-
tiplied to you.
2 It hath seemed good in my sight to declare to you the
signs and the wonders Which the God who is Most High hath
3 done with me. How great and mighty is his kingdom. His king-
VOL. III. X X
Ch. IV. DANIEL.
dom is an everlasting kingdom; and his dominion is to endless
asres.
4 I Nabuchodonosar was at rest in my house and in the en-
5 joyment of prosperity. I had a dream which terrified me and I
6 was troubled on my bed, and the visions of my head disquiet-
ed me. Therefore I issued a decree to bring before me all the
wise men of Babylon, that they might explain to me the mean-
7 ing of this dream. And when the soothsayers, the magians,
the gazarenes, the Chaldees came in, I told my dream before
them; but they did not explain to me the meaning of it until
8 Daniel came, whose name is Bakasar, after the name of my
9 God, and who hath in him a holy spirit of a God. To him I
said, Baltasar chief of the soothsayers, who, I know, hast a ho-
ly spirit of a god in thee, so that no secret can escape thee,
hear the vision of the dream, which I have seen; and tell me
10 the meaning of it. I beheld with astonishment on my bed, and
11 lo! a tree in the midst of the earth. Though its height was
great, the tree increased in magnitude and strength and its top
reached up to heaven; and its bulk to the extent of the whole
12 earth. Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant. And on
it there was food for all: and the wild beasts of the field dwelt
beneath it; and the birds of the air lodged among its branches;
13 and from it all flesh was fed. I beheld in a vision of the night
on my bed; and lo an jB/r, even a holy one, came down from
heaven and cried with a loud voice, and thus he said, "Cut
14 down that tree and lop off its branches and shake off its leaves
and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts be driven from underneath
15 it and the birds from its branches. But leave the stump of its
roots in the earth; and in a band of iron and brass and in the
green grass abroad and in the dew of heaven let it abide: and let
its portion be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth. His
1 6 heart shall be changed from men and the heart of a wild beast
shall be given him and seven seasons shall revolve over him.
17 The sentence is by the decree of an Eir; and the decree is a
request of holy ones, that the living may know that there is a
sovereign Lord of the kingdom of men and that he can give it
to whom he will, and set over it that which is disesteemed by
18 men." This is the dream, which I Nabuchodonosar the king
have seen. Thou therefore Baltasar, tell me the meaning; for
Ch. IV. DANIEL.
all the wise men of my kingdom are miable to explain to me
the meaning of it: but thou Daniel art able, because there is in
thee the holv spirit of a god.
19 Upon tliis Daniel, whose name is Baltasar, was absorpt in
astonishment for about an hour and his thoughts agitated him
and Baltasar answered and said. Let this dream, my Lord, be
for them who hate thee, and the interpretation thereof for thine
20 enemies. The tree which thou sawest, which was increased in
magnitude and strength, the top of which reached up to hea-
ven and its bulk to the extent of the whole earth, the leaves of
Avhich were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and on which
21 there was food for all; beneath which the beasts of the field
dwelt, and on the branches of which the birds of the air roost-
22 ed: Thou, Ο king art it. For thou art become great and
§kong and thy greatness hath increased and reached up to hea-
23 '#n and thy dominion to the limits of the earth. And inasr
much as the king saw an Eir, even a holy one descending from
heaATU who said. Cut down that tree and destroy it, but leave
the stump of its roots in the earth; and in a band of iron and
brass and in the green grass abroad and in the dew of heaven
let it abide; and let its portion be with the wild beasts of the
24 field until seven seasons revolve over it — This, Ο king, is the
interpretation thereof and the decree of the Most High which
is about to come upon my lord the king. Thou wilt be dri-
25 ven from among men; and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts
of the field; and they will feed thee with grass like an ox; and
thou Shalt lodge in the dew of heaven; and seven seasons shall
revolve over thee, till thou be made sensible that the Most
26 High ruleth over the kingdom of men and can give it to whom
he will. But inasmuch as they said. Let the stump of the
roots of the tree remain, thy kingdom shall remain for thee
27 when thou art made sensible of the heavenly authority. For
this cause, Ο king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee; and
make atonement for thy sins by acts of kindness, and for thy
transgressions by tender mercies for the distressed. Perliaps
God may forgive thine offences.
28 All these things came upon Nabuchodonosar the king. At
29 the end of twelve months, as the king was walking in the temple
30 of his kingdom at Babylon, he spake, saying, Is not this the
Ch. V. DANIEL.
great Babylon which I have built for the house of a kingdom,
31 by the might of my power, for the display of my glor}'? While
the word was yet in the king's mouth, there came a voice from
heaven, To thee Nabuchodonosar it is said, the regal power is
32 gone from thee and thou shalt be driven from among men and
thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; and they
shall feed thee with grass like an ox; and seven seasons shall
revolve over thee, that thou mayst know that the Most High
ruleth over the kingdom of men and can give it to whom he
S3 will. In that very hour the word was fulfilled on Nabuchodo-
nosar; and he was driven from among men and ate grass like
an ox and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until
his hair grew strong like the shag of lions and his nails like the
34 claws of birds. And at the end of the da}s I Nabuchodonosar
lifted up mine eyes to heaven, and mine understanding was re-
stored to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and
glorified him who liveth forever; for his dominion is an ever-
lasting dominion and his kingdom is to endless generations,
35 and all the inhabitants of the earth are reckoned as nothing;
and he doth according to his pleasure in the army of heaven
and in the habitations of the earth; and there is none w^ho can
36 stay his hand, or say to him, What hast thou done. At this very
hour my senses Avere restored to me and I reassumed the ho-
nour of my kingdom; and my form returned to me; and my
princes and my giandees sought me; and I was re-established in
37 my kingdom and greater majesty was added to me. Now there-
fore I Nabuchodonosar praise and extol and glorify the king
of heaven; for all his works are true and his ways are judg-
ments and all them who walk in pride he can abase.
V. KING Baltasar made a great supper for his thousand gran-
2 dees and wine was set before the thousand. And as he was
drinking, Baltasar gave an order upon tasting the wine, to bring
the vessels of gold and silver which Nabuchodonosar his fa-
ther had brought out of the temple at Jerusalem; and that the
king and his nobles, and his concubines and his wives should
3 drink out of them. Accordingly the vessels of gold and silver
Avhich had been taken out of the temple of God at Jerusalem
were brought, and the king and his nobles and his concubines
Ch. V. ' DANIEL.
4 and his wives drank out of them. And having drunk wine they
praised the gods of gold and silver and brass and wood and
5 stone. At that very hour there came forth fingers of a man's
hand and wrote over against the lamp, on the plaistering of the
wall of the king's palace. And the king beheld with astonish-
6 ment the joint of the hand that was writing. Whereupon the
king's countenance changed and his thoughts troubled him and
the joints of his loins were loosened and his knees smote one
7 against another. And the king cried aloud to bring in the ma-
gians, Chaldees, gazarenes. And he said to the wise men of
Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing and explain to me
the meaning, he shall be clothed with purple and have a chain
of gold for his neck and shall be a chief, third in rank, in my
8 kingdom. And when all the king's wise men came in and could
neither read the writing nor explain the meaning to the king,
9 king Baltasar was agitated and his countenance changed, and
10 his nobles were in like trepidation. Then the queen came to
the banquet house and said, Ο king, live forever! Let not thy
11 thoughts trouble thee, nor thy countenance change. There is
in thy kingdom a man, in whom is a spirit of a god, and in the
days of thy father, light and knowledge were found in him,
and the king Nabuchodonosar thy father appointed him chief
of the soothsayers, Chaldees, gazarenes, because of the extra-
12 ordinary spirit in him, and of his understanding and know-
ledge in the interpretation of dreams, and explaining hard sen-
tences and solving difficulties — namely Daniel whom the king
surnamed Baltasar. Now therefore let him be called in and he
13 will tell thee the meaning of this. Thereupon Daniel was
brought in before the king. And the king said to Daniel,
Thou art Daniel? One of the captives of Juda whom the king
14 my father brought hither? I have heard of thee that there is in
thee a spirit of a god, and that light and knowledge and extra-
15 ordinary wisdom have been found in thee. Now the wise men,
magians, gazarenes have come in before me to read that Avrit-
ing and make known to me the meaning of it, but they are not
16 able to tell me. But I have heard of thee that thou canst solve
difficulties. Now therefore if thou canst read that writing and
explain to me the meaning of it, thou shalt be clothed in pur-
ple and have a chain of gold for thy neck and be a chief, third
Ch. V. DANIEL.
17 in rank, in my kingdom. Then Daniel said before the king^
Let thy gifts be thine own, ar\ii give to another the honour of
thy household; but the writing I will read, and I will explain
18 to thee the meaning of it. Ο king, God, the Most High gave to
Nabuchodonosar thy father this kingdom and majesty and glo-
19 ry and honour. And because of the majesty which he gave him,
all the peoples, tribes and languages trembled and were struck
with awe at his presence. Whom he would he slew, and whom
he would he smote, and whom he would he set up, and whom
20 he would he put down. But when his heart became elated and
his spirit emboldened to shew its arrogance, he was deposed
from the throne of his kingdom and his glory was taken from
21 him; and he was driven from among men; and his heart was
disposed to associate with the beasts; and his dwelling was with
the wild asses; and he was fed with grass like an ox; and his
body was bathed with the dew of heaven, till he was made to
know that the Most High God ruleth over the kingdom of
men and can give it to whom he will.
22 Now thou, Baltasar, his son, hast not therefore humbled thy
23 heart before this God. Hast thou not known all these things?
Yet thou hast exalted thyself against the Lord God of heaven.
And the vessels of his house have been brought before thee,
and thou and thy nobles and thy concubines and thy wives
have drunk wine out of them, and thou hast praised the gods
of gold and silver and brass and iron and wood and stone
which neither see nor hear, nor understand: but the God in
whose hand is thy breath and all thy M^ays— him thou hast not
24 glorified. For this cause a joint of a hand hath been sent from
25 his presence, and it hath sketched this writing. Now this is what
26 is written, Mane^ Thekel^ Phares. The interpretation of the de-
27 cree is this. Mane; God hath measured thy kingdom and
28 brought it to a conclusion. Thekel — It hath been weighed in a
balance and found wanting. Phares — Thy kingdom is taken
away and given to Medes and Persians.
29 Then Baltasar gave orders and they clothed Daniel with
purple and put a chain of gold about his neck, and proclama-
tion was made concerning him that he was a chief, third in
SO rank, in the kingdom. And that very night Baltasar the Chal- .
Ch. VI. DANIEL.
dean king was slain, and Darius the Mede assumed the king-
dom, being sixty two years of age.
VI. IT having seemed good in the sight of Darius, he set
over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps to be govern-
2 ors of provinces throughout his whole dominion; and over
these he appointed three ministers of whom Daniel was one;
that the governors might render an account to them, so that the
3 king might not be oppressed with business. And Daniel was
at the head of these. Because there was in him an extraordi-
4 nary spirit and the king had set him over his whole kingdom,
therefore the ministers and the governors sought to find some
pretext against Daniel. And when they found no pretext,
lapse or crime with which to charge him, for he was faithful;
5 the ministers said. We shall not find any pretext against Da-
6 niel except in the ceremonies relating to his God. Then the
ministers and the governors waited on the king, and said to
7 him. King Darius live forever ! All that are over thy king-
dom, the generals and governors, the chief commanders and
toparchs have joined in opinion to establish by a royal statute
and make a firm decree, that whoever shall make any request
of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee only, Ο king;
8 he shall be cast into the den of the lions. Now therefore, Ο
king, establish the edict and promulgate it in writing, that the
decree of the Persians and Medes may not be dispensed with.
9 Upon this Darius the king ordered the decree to be written.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the decree was passed, he
\vent home and the windows in his upper chamber towards
Jerusalem were opened for him, and three times a day, kneel-
ing down on his knees, he prayed and gave thanks before his
God as he had done heretofore.
11 Now those men watched and having found Daniel prais-
12 ing and supplicating his God, they went and said to the king,
Ο king, hast thou not passed an edict, that every man who
shall make any request of any god or man for the space of
thirty days save of thee only, Ο king, shall be cast into the
den of the lions? And the king said, It is true; and the decree
13 of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered. Then they an-
swered and said before the king, Daniel, who is one of the
Gh. VI. DANIEL.
captives from Juda, hath not paid obedience to thy decree.
14 For three times a day he maketh requests of his God. When
the king heard this matter he was exceedingly grieved for it
and strove hard for Daniel to save him and continued till evening
15 his endeavours to deliver him. Then the men said to the king,
Know, Ο king, that it is decreed by the Medes and Persians,
That no edict or statute which the king shall pass must be dis-
16 pensed \vith. Then the king gave orders and they brought
Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. And the king said
to Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually will him-
17 self deliver thee. And when they had brought a stone and put
it on the mouth of the den, the king caused it to be sealed
with his own signet and with the signet of his nobles that no-
18 thing might be altered in respect to Daniel. Then the king
went to his house and retired to bed without supper. And
there was no food brought to him and sleep went from him.
But God shut the mouths of the lions so that they did not mo-
19 lest Daniel. And in the morning the king arose soon as it was
20 light and went in haste to the lions' den. And when he ap-
proached the den, he cried with a loud voice, Ο Daniel, the
servant of the living God, hath thy God, whom thou servest
continually, been able to deliver thee from the mouths of the
21 lions? Thereupon Daniel said to the king, Ο king live for-
22 ever! My God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions
and they have not hurt me. For before him rectitude was
found in me; and even in thy sight, Ο king, 1 have commit-
23 ted no offence. At this the king was exceedingly rejoiced and
gave order to take Daniel up out of the den. So he was taken
up out of the den and there was no manner of hurt found on
24 him, because he had trusted in his God. Then the king com-
manded and they brought the men who had accused Daniel,
and they and their sons and their wives were cast into the den
of the lions. And before they reached the bottom of the den
the lions had such mastery over them that they broke all their
25 bones. Then Darius the king wrote — To all the peoples, tribes
and languages who dwell in the whole earth. Peace be multi-
26 plied to you. From my presence this decree is established, that
in every government of my kingdom men tremble and be
struck with awe at the presence of the God of Daniel; for he
Ch. VII. DANIEL.
is the living God and endureth forever, and his kingdom
can never be destroyed and his dominion will be to the end.
27 He supporteth and delivereth and doth signs and wonders in
heaven and on earth. He it is who hath delivered Daniel from
the power of the lions.
28 So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and ia the reign
of Cyrus the Persian.
VII. In the first year of Baltasar king of the Chaldeans, Da-
niel had a dream and these were the visions of his head on his
bed and he wrote down this dream of his.
2 I Daniel beheld, and lo ! the four winds of lieaven blew
3 violently on the great sea; and four great beasts came up out
4 of the sea, different one from the other. The first was like a
lioness, and had wings like those of an eagle. I beheld till her
wings were plucked off; and she was raised from the earth and
stood on the feet of a man and a man's heart was given her.
5 And behold the second beast was like a bear; and it stood half
erect and there were three ribs in its mouth between its teeth,
6 and they said to it thus, " Arise, devour much flesh." After
this I looked, and lo ! another beast like a leopard; and it had
four wings of a bird on it; and this beast had four heads and
7 to it dominion was given. After this I beheld, and lo ! a fourdi
beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong and its teeth
of iron ! It devoured and brake in pieces ! and the residue it
trampled with its feet. Now this was far diff-erent from all the
8 beasts which were before it and it had ten horns. I attended
to its horns, and behold another little horn sprouted up m the
midst of them; and three of the horns which were before
it were rooted out from before it. And behold m this horn
there were eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking
9 great things. And I beheld till the thrones were set and an an-
cient of days was seated. And his garment was white as
10 snow and the hair of his head was like pure wool. His throne
was aflame of fire and his wheels a blazing fire. A river of fire
rolled before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him
U and myriads of myriads waited on him. The court sat and
books were opened. I looked then because of the sound o.
the great words which that horn had spoken, until the beast
vol.. III. ^^ y
Ch. VII. DANIEL•.
was slain and destroyed and its body given to be burned
12 with fire. And the government of the rest of the beasts was
changed and a length of. time given them until a time and a
13 time. And I beheld in the vision of the night, and lo ! with
the clouds of heaven one like a son of man coming ! And he
advanced to the Ancient of days and was introduced to him.
14 And to him was given the government and the honour and the
kingdom ; and all the peoples, tribes and languages are to
serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which
shall never pass away, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed.
15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit quivered in my whole frame
16 and the vision of my head troubled me. And I went to one
of them in waiting and made diligent inquiry to learn of
him concerning all these things and he gave me exact in-
formation and explained to me the meaning of these things.
1 7 These beasts, which are four, denote that four kingdoms shall
18 be raised up on the earth. These shall be removed, and the
holy ones of the Most High shall take the kingdom and hold it
to an age of the ages.
19 Then I inquired particularly concerning the fourth
beast, because it was different from every beast, exceedingly
dreadful. Its teeth were of iron and its claws of brass. It de-
voured and brake in pieces and the residue it trampled with
20 its feet. And concerning the ten horns, which were on its
head, and that other, which sprouted up and shook off some of
the first; and which had eyes and a mouth speaking great
things and the appearance of which was greater than the rest,
21 I beheld and that horn made war on the holy ones and pre-
22 vailed against them until the Ancient of days came and gave
judgment for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time
23 came and the holy ones possessed the kingdom. And he said,
With regard to the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth king-
dom on the earth which shall surpass all the kingdoms and
24 devour all the earth and trample down and cut to pieces. And
its ten horns denote that ten kingdoms shall be raised up; and
after them another shall be raised up which shall exceed in
25 evils all those before and shall humble three kings and shajl
speak words against the Most High and wear out the holy ones .
of the Most High and think of changing times and law, and
Ch. VIII. DANIEL.
this shall be put in its power for a time and times and the half
26 of a time. When the court hath sat they will change this go-
27 vernment to abolish and destroy it utterly. For the kingdom
and the dominion and the majesty of the kings who are under
the whole heaven, is given to the holy ones of the Most High.
And his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all
the governments shall serve and obey him. To this is the end
of this word.
28 As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me much and
my countenance \vas changed. But I kept the matter in mine
own heart.
VIII. IN the third year of Baltasar the king a vision appear-
2 ed to me. After the first vision which appeared to me, I Da-
niel was at Susoi the palace which is in the province of Ailam;
3 and being on the bank of the Oubal, I lifted up mine eyes and
looked, and lo a ram stood before the Oubal and it had tofty
horns and one was higher than the other; and the highest
4 sprang up last. And I saw the ram butting westward and north-
ward and southward, and of all the beasts none could stand be-
fore him nor was there any to deliver out of his hand. So he
5 acted according to his pleasure and became great. And while
I was considering, behold a he-goat came from the south west
over the face of the whole earth and he did not seem to touch
6 the ground. And the goat had a horn between his eyes. And
he came to the ram which had two horns and which I saw
standing before the Oubal and ran up to him with all his might.
7 I saw him indeed coming up to the ram and he was exasper-
ated against him, and he smote the ram and broke his two
horns and the ram had not power to stand before him. So he
threw him on the ground and trampled him, and there was
8 none to deliver the ram out of his hand. And the goat of the
goats became very great and when he was in full strength,
that great horn of his was broken; and four others sprang up
9 from under it towards the four winds of heaven. And out
from tlie first of them there came forth one strong horn
10 which became very great towards the south and towards the
host, and its greatness reached even to the host of heaven.
And there fell on the earth some of the host of heaven and'
Ch. VIII. DANIEL.
11 some of the stars, and these were trodden down. And until
the captain general should deliver the captivity, even by rea-
son of him the sacrifice was disturbed ; and he was prosper-
12 ed; and the sanctuary is to be desolated; and sin was permitted
against the sacrifice; and this righteousness was cast on the
13 ground; so he acted and was prospered. And I heard a holy
one speaking; and a holy one said to the Phelmoni who spoke,
"How long shall this vision last, respecting the sacrifice which
is taken away, and the sin of desolation which is permitted ;
14 and the sanctuary and the host be trodden down?" And he
said to him. Even till there shall be of an evening and a morn-
ing two thousand Jour hundred days. Then shall the sanctuary
be cleansed.
15 And Avhen I Daniel had seen the vision and sought the
meaning, then lo I there stood before me an appearance like
16 that of a man. And I heard a voice of a man amidst the Ou-
bal and it called and said, '* Gabriel, instruct him respecting
17 the vision." So he came and stood near where I was stand-
ing. And when he came, I was struck with terror and fell on
my face. And he said to me. Son of man, understand ; for
18 this vision also is for the end of a time. And while he was
speaking to me, I fell flat with my face on the ground. Then
19 he touched mc and set me on my feet, and said. Behold I make
known to thee the things which shall be in the last days of the
20 indignation ; for this vision also is for the end of a time. The
ram which thou sawest which had the horns, is the king of
21 the Medes and Persians. The goat of the goats, is the king of
the Grecians ; and the great horn which was between his eyes
22 is the first king. Now as upon this being broken, four horns
shot up from under it, four kings of that nation of his will
23 be raised up, but not by their own might. And in the last
days of their kingdom, their sins being come to the full, a
king will be raised up of an unblushing countenance, skilled
24 m problems, and his power will be great, and he will destroy
things which are objects of admiration and will prosper and
25 act and destroy mighty men, and a holy people. iVnd the yoke
of his chain will prosper ; and by his hand and by his heart,
deceit will be magnified, and with deceit he will destroy many
and for the destruction of many he will be raised up and wjtW
Ch. IX. DANIEL.
26 break them like eggs with his hands. Now the vision of the
evening and the morning, which was mentioned is true. Seal
thou therefore the vision,^ for it is for many days.
27 Upon this I Daniel was confined to my bed and sick. —
And when I arose I did the king's business. And I was asto-
nished at the vision ; but none understood it.
IX. IN the first year of Darius, the son of Assuerus of the
2 seed of the Medes, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chal-
deans, I Daniel understood by the books that the number of
the years, which was a word of the Lord to Jeremias the pro-
phet, for the accomplishment of the desolation of Jerusalem,
3 was seventy years. Therefore I turned my face to the Lord
my God, to seek a prayer and supplication by fasting and
4 sackcloth. And I prayed to the Lord my God and made con-
fession and said, Ο Lord, the God great and marvellous, who
keepest thy covenant and thy mercy for them who love thee
5 and keep thy commandments! We have sinned; we have com-
mitted iniquity; we have transgressed and apostatised and
turned away from thy commandments, and from thy judg-
6 ments, and have not hearkened to thy servants the prophets
who spoke in thy name to our kings and our chiefs and our
7 fathers and to all the people of the land. To thee, Ο Lord, be-
longeth righteousness; but to us confusion of face as at this
day — to the man Juda and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and
to all Israel — and to those near and to them far olf, in every
land where thou hast scattered them for their breach of cove-
S nant of which they have been guilty. In thee, Ο Lord, is our
righteousness. Though to us belongeth confusion of face — •
to our kings, and our chiefs and our fathers, who have sinned
9 against thee; with the Lord our God are tender mercies and
10 forgivenesses. Because we apostatised and did not hearken to
the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he
set before us by the ministry of his servants the prophets;
11 and all Israel transgressed thy law, and declined to hearken to
thy voice; therefore upon us came the curse and the execra-
tion which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God.
12 Because we sinned against him, therefore he confirmed his
words which he spoke against us and against our judges who
Ch. IX. DANIEL.
judged us, by bringing upon us great evils, such as never
happened under the whole heaven; as was the case in Jerusa-
13 km. According to what is written in the law of Moses all
those evils have come upon us. We indeed did not supplicate
the favour of the Lord our God, by turning from all our wick-
edness, therefore that we might be made sensible of all thy
14 truth, the Lord hath indeed been watchful and hath brought
upon us these things. For the Lord our God is righteous in
' every act of his which he hath done, and we have not hearkened
to his voice.
15 Now, Ο Lord our God, who broughtest thy people out of
the land of Egypt with a strong hand and who hast made thy-
self a great name as at this day; we have sinned, we have com-
16 mitted iniquity. Mercy, Ο Lord, is thine in all things; let thy
wrath, I beseech thee, be turned away and thine indignation
from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain. Because we have
sinned, therefore for our iniquities and the iniquities of our fa-
thers, Jerusalem and thy people are become an object of re-
17 proach among all those around us. But now, Ο Lord our God,
hearken to the prayer of thy servant and to his supplications;
18 and let thy face shine upon thy sanctuary which is desolate.
For thine own sake, Ο Lord, incline, Ο my God, thine ear and
hear. Open thine eyes and behold our desolation and that of
thy city which is called by thy name. For we do not for our
own righteousness present our piteous case before thee; but
we cast ourselves upon thy tender mercies, Ο Lord, which are
19 many. Ο Lord hear! Ο Lord, be appeased! Attend, Ο Lord!
Defer not, Ο my God, for thine own sake! for thy city and thy
people are called bj- thy name.
20 Now whilst I was still speaking and praying and confessing
mine own sins and the sins of my people Israel, and present-
ing my supplication before the Lord my God for the mount
21 of the sanctuary; even whilst I was uttering this prayer, be-
hold a man, Gabriel, whom I saw in the former vision, came
flying and touched me about the hour of the evening sacrifice
22 and instructed me and conversed with me and said, Daniel, I
23 am now come to teach thee knowledge. At the beginning of
thy supplication a word went forth, and I am come to tell thee;
for thou art a man greatly beloved. Be instructed therefore by
Ch. χ. DANIEL.
24 the decree, and understand by the vision. Seventy weeks are
set apart for thy people and for the holy city; for finishing sin
offerings, and for sealing up sin offerings; and blotting out in-
iquities, and making atonement for iniquities; and for bring-
ing in an everlasting righteousness; and for sealing vision and
25 prophet; and for anointing the Holy of Holies. Therefore thou
art to know and understand, that from the going forth of a
word for returning an answer and for building Jerusalem un-
til an Anointed ruler are seven weeks, and sixty two weeks.
They shall indeed return and a street shall be built and a wall,
26 and these times shall be emptied out, and after the sixty two
weeks, the Messiah shall be cut off, though there is no crime
in him; and he, with the ruler who is coming, will destroy the
city and the sanctuary. They shall be destroyed with a deluge,
and even to the end of the war determined on in course, with
27 desolations. Now one week shall confirm a covenant for many
and in the half of that week my sacrifice and libation shall be
taken away. And upon the temple shall be an abomination of
the desolations, and at the end of a time, an end shall be put
to that desolation.
X. IN the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a word was
revealed to Daniel, surnamed Baltasar. And the word is true
and great power and knowledge was given him by the vision.
2 In those days, I Daniel, had been mourning three weeks. I had
3 not eaten palatable bread, nor had flesh or wine entered my
4 mouth, neither had I anointed myself to the full end of three
weeks. On the twenty fourth of the first month when I was on
5 the bank of the great river, namely, Tigris Eddekel, I raised
mine eyes and looked, and lo! a man clothed with a flowing
6 robe and his loins girded with gold of Ophaz, and his body
like a Tharsis, and his face like the appearance of lightning,
and his eyes like lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs like
the appearance of sparkling brass, and the sound of his words
like the sound of a multitude.
7 Now, I Daniel alone saw this vision. The men who were
with me did not see it; but great consternation fell upon therni
8 and they fled for fear; so I Avas left alone. And when I beheld
this great vision, there was no strength left in me. Even my
Ch. XL DANIEL.
comeliness was changed into corruption and I retained no
9 strength ; but I heard the sound of his words. And when I
heard him, I was struck with awe, and my face was on the
10 ground. And lo ! a hand touched me and raised me up upon
11 my knees. And he said to me, Daniel, man greatly beloved,
gain knowledge by the words which I speak to thee and stand
up ; for I am now sent to thee. And when he said this to me
12 I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel:
for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to gain
knowledge and afflict thyself before the Lord thy God, thy
13 words were heard, and I came at thy words ; but the chief
of the kingdom of the Persians stood in my w*ay twenty one
days, when lo ! Michael the first of the chiefs came to help
me, and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the
14 Persians, and am come to teach thee what will befal thy
people in the last days. Because this vision is for days to
come. —
15 Now while he was speaking to me in such terms, I turned
my countenance to the earth, and was in amaze ; and behold
16 a likeness as it were of a son of man touched my lips, where-
upon I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who
was standing before me, Ο my lord, at the sight of thee my
vitals are changed, and I have no strength ; how then can thy
17 servant, Ο my lord, speak with this my lord ? As for me, from
that moment my strength could not support me and there was
38 no spirit left in me. Then an appearance like that of a man
touched me again, and strengthened me and said to me, Man
much beloved, fear not: peace be to thee. Take courage and be
19 strong. And when he had spoken to me I recovered strength
and said, Let my lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then he said, Ο that thou knewest that for which I came to
thee, then would I return to fight for the chief of the Persians,
21 for as I was coming, the chief of the Grecians came. But I
will tell thee that only which is ordered in a writing of truth.
There is indeed none with me solicitous about him, but only
Michael your chief. As for me, I in the first year of Cyrus,
XI. was his strength and power. And now I will tell the
2 truth : Behold yet three kings shall be raised up in Persia,
Ch. XI. DANIEL.
and the fourth shall abound in great wealth above all. Αικί
after he hath gotten this his great wealth he will be stirred up
3 against all the kingdoms of the Greeks. But there will be
raised up a mighty king who will be lord of a great dominion
4 and will do according to his pleasure. But as soon as his
kingdom hath been set up, it will be broken in pieces and di-
vided towards the four winds of heaven, but not to his utmost
bounds, nor according to his dominion which he ruled. For
his kingdom will be torn to pieces, and given to others be-
5 sides these. And the king of the south will grow strong ;
and one of these chiefs will grow strong against him, and will
6 rule over a great dominion. And after his years they will
come to an agreement. And a daughter of a king of the south
will come to a king of the north for the purpose of making
leagues with him. But he will not retain strength of arm, nor
shall his seed stand ; for she will be delivered up and they who
bring her, both the young woman, and he who strengthen-
7 eth her in those times. Out of the blossom of her root one
having a government of his own will be raised up, and will
come to this power, and enter the strong holds of the king of
8 the north, and perform exploits in them and prevail. And he
will carry their gods with their molten images, all his preci-
ous vessels of silver and gold, with captives to Egypt ; and
9 he will stand above the king of the north v/ho will come to
the kingdom of the king of the south ; and return again to
10 his own land. But his sons will collect a multitude among
many, and one will come with effect, and like a deluge, and
will pass through and establish himself and the war will be
1 1 carried even to his fortress. Then will the king of the south
be furiously enraged, and he will come out and fight the king
of the north, who \vill array a great multitude, but this mul-
12 titude will be delivered into his hand. And when he shall
take this multitude, his heart will be elated, and he will over-
13 throw myriads, but will not prevail. For the king of the north
will return, and bring a multitude greater than the former and
at the end of times of years invade the frontiers Avith a great
14 army, and with much wealth. And in those times many will
rise up against the king of the ^outh, and tlie sons of the pests
of thy people will be stirred up to establish a phantom, bui
VOL, III. " "
Ch. XI. DANIEL.
15 they will be weak. For a king of the north will come and cast
up a mount and take strong cities. Though the arms of the
king of the south will make a stand, and his chosen men will
16 be raised up, yet there will not be power to withstand. So
that he who cometh against him, will do according to his
pleasure, and there is none able to stand before him. So he
will stand in the land of Sabei, and it will be perfected by his
17 hand. Then he will set his face to enter with the strength of
his whole kingdom, and will settle all things equitably with
him, and will give him a daughter of the women with a view
to corrupt her, but she will not continue in his interest, nor
18 be for him. Then he will turn his face to the islands, and take
many, and cause chiefs to cease their reproaches : but his own
19 reproach will be turned upon him. Then he will turn his face
to the strength of his own land, and will be weak and fall, and
20 will not be found. And from his root there will be set upon
his throne a ])lant of royalty plundering, and taxing the glory
of a kingdom. And in those days he also will be destroyed,
21 but not with open violence nor in battle. And on his throne
one will be settled, who Avas despised and on whom they did
not confer the honour of a kingdom. But he will come to it
22 peaceably and obtain the kingdom by obsequiousness. And
the arms of the overwhelmer will be overwhelmed at his pre-
23 sence, and they with the ruler of the covenant will be destroy-
ed. Because of the associations against him, he will practise
guile and come up and overpower them with a small nation and
24 come peaceably into rich provinces, and do what neither his
fathers, nor his fathers' fathers ever did. Plunder and spoils
and wealth he will scatter among them; and against Egypt he
25 will forecast devices even for a time. And his power and his
heart will be stirred up against a king of the south, with a
great army; and the king of the south will join battle with an
26 exceeding great and powerful army; but they will not stand ;
for they will form devices against him and devour his substance
and crush him, and armies will be overwhelmed, and many
27 wounded shall fall. Then both the kings with their hearts bent
on mischief will speak lies at one table. But it will not prosper.
28 Because an end is still put off' for a time, therefore he will return
to his own land with much wealth and his heart will be against
Ch. XI. DANIEL.
the holy covenant, and he will act and return to his own land.
29 At the time he will return and come to the south ; but this
30 last expedition will not be like the first : for the Kitians who
set out at the same time will arrive, and he will be humbled.
Then he will return and will be inflamed with wrath against
the holy covenant. And he will act and return and keep up
an intelligence with them who have forsaken the holy cove-
31 nant. And seeds out of him will spring up, and the sanctu-
ary of the dominion will be polluted ; and the daily sacrifice
will be removed ; and there will be set up an abomination
32 which hath caused desolation, which they who break cove-
nant will bring in by flatteries. But the people who acknow-
33 ledge their God will take courage and act. And the men of
understanding among the people will keep up an intelligence
for many purposes ; but they will be weakened by sword and
34 by fire, and by captivity, and by plundering, for days. And
when they are weak, they will be helped vv^ith a little help,
35 And many will join them by flatteries. Then some of the wise
will be weak that they may be tried and chosen, and that at
36 a time the end may be revealed. Because it is still for a time,
therefore he will act according to his pleasure. And this king
will be exalted and magnified above every god, and will speak
swelling words, and prosper until the indignation is completed:
37 for it is coming to a completion. Though with all the gods of
his fathers, he will not keep up any intelligence, including
even the desire of women — though he will not pay respect
to any thing divine, because he will magnify himself above
38 them all, yet in his place he will glorify god Maozim — even
a god which his fathers knew not, he will glorify with gold
and silver, and precious stones, and with desirable things, and
39 act for the fortresses of them who have taken refuge with a
strange God, and he will multiply glory and subject many to
40 them and distribute lands for gifts. And at the end of a time
there will be conflicts with the king of the south, and against
him there will be brought a king of the north, with chariots
and horsemen, and many ships, which shall invade the land,
41 and he will break in pieces and pass through and come to the
land of Sabaim, and many will be weak. But these will escape
out of his hand, namely, Edom and Moab and the children
Ch. XII. DANIEL.
42 of Ammon. And he will stretch forth his hand against this
43 land, and the land of Egypt will be no security. And he will
be master of the hidden stores of gold and silver, and of all
the desirable things of Egypt, and of the Lybians and Ethi-
44 opians, in their strong holds. And when reports and disturb-
ances shall trouble him from the east, and from the north,
45 he will then come with great wrath to destroy many, and he
will pitch his tent at Ephadanus between the seas on the holy
mountain Sabaim. Then he will come to his portion, and there
is none to deliver him.
XII. And at that time Michael the great chief, who hath been
. over the children of thy people will stand up, and there will
be a time of tribulation — a tribulation such as hath not been
since there was a nation on the earth even to this time. At that
time all thy people who are enrolled in the book shall be saved.
2 ' And many of them who sleep in mounds of earth shall be
raised up, some for everlasting life and some for disgrace and
3 everlasting shame. And they who are wise shall shine like
the brightness of the firmament, and some of the many right-
eous like the stars for the ages and longer.
4 As for thee, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book
till the time of accomplishment; until many be taught and
knowledge abound.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and lo ! two others stood, one on
this bank of the river and the other on the other bank of the
6 river. And one said to the man clothed with the flowing robes
who was over the water of the river, How long to the end of
7 these wonderful things which thou hast spoken? And I heard
the man clothed with the fine robes who was over the water
of the river. He lifted up his right and his left hand to heaven
and sware by him who liveth forever and ever that it will be
until a time of times and the half of a time. When an end is
put to the dispersion, they will know all these things. As for
δ me though I heard I did not understand. So I said, Lord,
9 What will be the issue of these things? And he said, Come
Daniel, Because these words are shut up and sealed until the
10 end of a time. Though many be chosen and made white and
purified and sanctified, and transgressors transgress ; yet no
transgressor will understand but the prudent will understand.
Ch. XIL DANIEL.
1 1 Now from the time of the change of the daily sacrifice, when
the abomination of desolation shall Be set up there will be a
12 thousand two hundred and ninety days. Happy he who will
wait and come to a thousand three hundred and thirty five
13 days. But as for thee, come and go to rest, for still there will
be days and hours to the final accomplishment. And thou shalt
stand up for thy portion at the end of days»
HOSEA.
i. A wot'd of the Lo7'd which came to Hosea the son of Beeri
in the days of Ozias and Joatham and Achaz and Ezekias
kings of Juda^ and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joas
king of Israel,
The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea.
2 I. WHEN the Lord said to Hosea, " Go, take thee a wife
of "wlioredom, and children of whoredoms, since ■ the land is
3 going and will go a whoring from the Lord," he then went
and took Gomer a daughter of Debelaim: and when she con-
4 ceived and bore him a son, the Lord said to him, *' Call his
name Jezrael; for yet a little w^hile and I will avenge the blood
of Jezrael on the house of Jehu, and cause the kingdom of the
5 house of Israel to cease. And it shall come to pass in that day
6 that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezrael." And
when she conceived again and bore a daughter, he said to him,
" Call her name, Not- coin passiojiated; for I will no longer con-
tinue to have compassion on the house of Israel, but will set
7 myself against them. But on the children of Juda I will have
compassion and I will save them by the Lord their God, and
will not save them by bow nor by sword nor by battle nor by
horses nor by horsemen."
8 And when she had weaned Not-compassionated^ she con-
9 ceived again and bore a sort, and he said, " Call his name
Not-my -people^ since you arc not my pepple and I am not your
10 God." (Now the number of the children of Israel was like
the sand of the sea Avhich cannot be measured nor counted.)
Ch. IL HOSEA.
*' But it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said
to them, " You are not my people," they shall be called chil-
li dren of the Living God, and the children of Juda and the
children of Israel shall be gathered together and shall appoint
for themselves one head and come up out of the land. Because
II. great will be the day of Jezrael; say ye to your brother, Mypeo-
2 pie, and to your sister, Co7npassionated ; emplead your mother,
emplead, because with regard to her, is she not my wife? And as
for me, am not I her husband? Therefore I will remove her forni-
cation from before me and her adultery from between her breasts.
3 That I may do this I will strip her naked, and reduce her to
the state she was in at her birth. I will indeed make her deso-
late, and order'her to a land without water and kill her with
4 thirst, and on her children I will not have compassion. Be-
5 cause they are children of fornication — because their mother
hath committed whoredom — she, who brought them forth
hath acted shamefully — because she said, " I will go after my
lovers, who give me my bread and my water, and my apparel
and my fine linens, mine oil and all things convenient for me;"
6 for this behold I will hedge up her way with thorns; and block
7 up her ways that she may not find her path. Though she fol-
low her lovers she shall not overtake them; though she seek
them, she shall not find them. Then she Λνϋΐ say, " I will go
and return to my former husband, for it was then better with
8 me than now. She indeed did not acknowledge that I gave
her the corn and wine and oil; and multiplied silver for her :
9 but she made ornaments of gold and silver for Baal : there-
fore I will turn and take away my corn in its season, and my
wine in its appointed time; and I will take away my garments
and my fine linens, that she may not cover her nakedness :
10 and I will now disclose her impurity before her lovers ; and
11 none shall deliver her out of my hand. I will indeed turn
away all her pleasures, her festivals, and her new moons and
Γ2 her sabbaths and all her solemn assemblies. And I will lay
waste her vineyards and her fig orchards — all those things re-
specting which she said, " These are my rewards which my
lovers gave me;" and I will make them for a memorial; and
the wild beasts of the field and the birds of the air, and the .
Ch. III. HOSEA.
13 reptiles of the earth shall devour them. And I will punish her
for the days of the baleims in which she sacrificed to them.
When she had put on her ear-rings and her jewels, she went
14 after her lovers and forgot me, saith the Lord; therefore behold
I will cause her to wander, and order her to a wilderness and
15 speak to her heart. And thence I will give her for her posses-
sions, even the valle}- of Achor to open her understanding: and
she shall be humbled there as in the days of her youth, even as
16 in the days of her coming up out of the land of Egypt. And it
shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that she will call
17 me My husband; and no more call me Baalim. I will indeed
take away the names of the JBaali?7is out of her mouth, and their
18 names shall no more be mentioned. And in that day I will
make a covenant for them, with the wild beasts of the field and
the birds of the air and the reptiles of the earth; and bow and
sword and battle I will crush out of the land; and I will settle
19 thee securely and betroth thee to myself forever. I will indeed
betr-oththee to myself by righteousness and by judgment and by
20 compassion and by tender mercies: and I will betroth thee to
21 myself by fidelity; and thou shalt acknowledge the Lord. And
it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will
22 hearken to the heaven, and it shall hearken to the earth, and
the earth shall hcai- the corn and the wine and the oil, and the}
23 shall hearken to Jezrael; and I will plant her for myself in the
land, and love her who was not beloved; and to them who
were not my people I will say, "Thou art my people:" and they
will say, Thou the Lord art my God.
III. II. Again the Lord said to me, Still go and love a wo-
man who loveth wickedness, even an adulteress, as God loveth
the children of Israel, though they look to strange gods and
2 love cakes with dried grapes. So I hired one for myself for fif-
teen pieces of silver and a gomar of barley and a nebel of wine,
3 and said to her, "Thou shalt continue many days for me and
shalt not play the harlot nor have commerce with man, then I
4 will be for thee; for the children of Israel shall continue many
days without a king and without a chief, and without a sacri-
fice and without an altar and without a priesthood, and with-
5 out manifestations; and afterwards the children of Israel will
return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king;
Ch. IV, HOSEA.
and will be amazed at the Lord and at his goodness in the last
days.
IV. III. (p) Hear a word of the Lord, Ο children of Israel!
the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of this land;
because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God
2 in the land — Cursing and lying and murder and theft and
adultery are burst out on the land, and blood mingleth with
3 blood; therefore the land shall mourn and be wasted with all its
inhabitants, with the wild beasts of the fields and with the rep-
tiles of the earth, and with the birds of the air. Even the fishes
of the sea shall fail.
4 (J) In order that none may be judged, that none may re-
prove, this people of mine shall be like a contradicted priest, and
5 shall be weak for years; and with thee the prophet shall be without
strength. I have compared thy mother to the night: my people
6 is like one that hath not knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge, therefore I will reject thee from being my priest:
as thou hast forgotten the law of thy God; I also will forget
7 thy children. In proportion to their increase they sinned against
8 me; I will turn their glory into shame. Shall they eat the sin
offerings of my people and by their iniquities support their
9 lives? It shall indeed be that as is the people so shall be the
priest; I will punish them for their ways and retribute to him
10 his devices. Though they eat they shall not be filled, they
11 have committed fornications, and they cannot prosper. Because
they forsook the Lord, to attend to fornication and wine, there-
12 fore the heart of my people embraced drunkenness. They con-
sulted by symbols and gave them answers by their staves. By
a spirit of fornication they were, led astray; and they went a
13 whoring from their God. They sacrificed on the tops of the
mountains, and on the hills they burned incense, under an oak
and a beech and a shady tree, because shade is good. For this
cause your daughters will commit whoredom and your wives
14 adultery; and I will not punish your daughters, when they
commit whoredom, nor your daughters in law when they com-
mit adultery. Because they conversedwith harlots and sacrificed
(J) Jphovah. (p) The prophet speaks.
Ch. V. HOSEA.
with prostitutes, therefore my people, who \vere without un-
15 derstanding, were entangled with fornication. As for thee, Is-
rael, continue not in ignorance; and thou Juda go not to Gal-
gala. Either go not up to the house of On, or swear not by the
16 living Lord. Because Israel ran about madly like a heifer
stung by a gad fly, the Lord will now feed them like a lamb in
17 a roomy place. Ephraim associating with idols, laid stumbling
18 blocks for himself. They addicted themselves to the Chanan-
ites; they went on in a continued course of whoredom; they
19 loved dishonour because of its revelry; thou art a whirl of wind
in its wings; but they shall be put to shame because of their altars.
V. IV. (p) Hear these things ye priests; and attend ye
house of Israel, and ye household of the king give ear; for
against you is this indictment, because you are become a snare
in the watch tower; and like a net spread upon Itaburion,
which they who hunt wild beasts have fixed up.
2 (J) As for me, I was your instructer. I acknowledged
3 Ephraim, when Israel did not withdraw from me. Now because
4 Ephraim went a whoring, Israel is polluted. They did not apply
their thoughts to return to their God. Because there is a spirit of
whoredom in them, and they have not acknowledged the Lord,
5 therefore the haughtiness of Israel shall be humbled at his
presence, and Israel and Ephraim shall be weakened for their
iniquities. When Juda also shall be weakened with them,
6 they will go with sheep and young bulls to seek the Lord, but
they shall not find him, because he hath withdrawn from them.
7 Because they have forsaken the Lord, because strange children
have been born to them: the canker worm shall now devour
them and their portions.
8 (p) Sound a trumpet on the mounts; raise a shout on the
high places; proclaim in the house of On, Benjajmn is con-
9 founded, Ephraim is becotiie a desolation in the daij of rebuke.
(J) Among the tribes of Israel I have given faithful warnings.
10 The chiefs of Juda are become like the removers of bounda-
1 1 ries, upon them I will pour out my fury like water. Ephraim
tyrannised over his adversary, he trampled down judgment;
12 because he set the example of going after vanities, therefore I
will be like a terror to Ephraim, and like a goad to the hous^
VOL. III. 3 Λ
Ch. VI. VII. HOSEA.
13 of Juda. When Epliraim saw his disorder and Juda felt his
pain, though Ephraim went to the Assyrians, and sent ambas-
sadors to king larim; yet he could not heal you, nor could your
14 pain be assuaged; for I am like a panther to Ephraim, and like
a lion to the house of Juda. When I tear, I will go and take
15 and there shall be no deliverer. I will sally forth and return to my
place until they are made desolate, then they will seek my face.
VI. In their affliction they will seek me early, saying, "Come,
let us return to the Lord our God, for it is he who hath torn
and he can heal us. He can smite, and into our wounds he can
2 pour balm; in two days he can restore us to health; on the
3 third day we shall be raised up and live before him. Let us
acknowledge — let us continue our pursuit to know the Lord;
sure as the morning we shall find him. He will come like rain
for us; like the former and latter rain for the earth."
4 What shall I do for thee, Ephraim? What shall I do for
thee, Juda? As for your goodness, it was like a morning cloud —
5 like the transient dew of the morning: for this cause I mowed
down your prophets, I slew them with the word of my mouth,
6 and my judgment shall go forth as light; for I desire mercy
rather than sacrifice, and an acknowledgment of God rather
7 than whole burnt oiferings. As for them, they are like man
transgressing a covenant. There the city Galaad hath contemn-
8 ed me; it is a framer of vanities, a troubler of water, and thy
9 strength was that of a mighty robber. The priests concealed
10 the way; they acted the murder at Sikima. Because they com-
mitted iniquity in the house of Israel, I saw there the horrible for-
nication of Ephraim. Israel is polluted. Now Juda begin aninga-
1 1 thering for thyself. When I bring back the captivity of my peo-
VII. pie. When I have healed Israel, then shall be disclosed the
iniquity of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria. Because
they have framed lies, therefore a thief shall come in to him, a
sculking robber shall be in his way: that they may chime toge-
2 ther like them who sing in unison. I remembered all their
wickedness, now their own devices have encompassed them.
3 They were all open to my view. They made kings glad by
4 their wickedness and chiefs by their lies. They all burn with
adultery, like an oven for baking cakes, which, after putting in
Ch. VIII. HOSEA.
the fire, after mixing the dough, is kept burning, till the dough
is leavened.
5 With regard to the days of your kings, the chiefs had be-
gun to be inflamed with wine. He had stretched forth his hand
6 with turbulent men. Because their hearts were heated like an
oven, when they had revelled the whole night, Ephraim fell
fast asleep. The morning came, he was heated again like a
7 flaming fire. They were all hot as an oven and devoured their
judges; all their kings fell; there was none among them who
8 appealed to me. Ephraim was mingled among his tribes;
Ephraim was a cake under ashes, which had not been turned.
9 Strangers devoured his strength and he did not know it; grey
hairs grew upon him and he did not perceive it.
10 (p) Though it was evident that the haughtiness of Israel
would be humbled, yet they did not turn to the Lord their
God, nor seek him diligently for all this.
11 (J) Ephraim indeed was like a silly dove which had no
understanding; he called upon Egypt: and they went to the
12 Assyrians. Let them go where they will, I will spread my net
for them, and bring them down like the birds of the air, and
13 instruct them with the report of one another's afiliction. Alas!
for them, because they have departed from me. They are faint
hearted, because they have transgressed against me. Though I
14 redeemed them, yet they spoke lies against me. Their hearts
do not cry to me; but only make moans on their beds — for
15 corn and wine they were deeply affected. By me they were
instructed — I indeed strengthened their arms; but they devis-
16 ed evils against me. They were turned back to no purpose.
They were like a bended bow. Let their chiefs fall by the
sword for the folly of their tongue; let the derision they en-
VIII. dured in the land of Egypt come into their bosoms like
dirt, like an eagle darting upon the house of the Lord. Because
they have transgressed my covenant, and have sinned against
2 my law, will they cry to me, " Ο God, we have known thee?"
3 Because Israel turned aAvay good things they met with an ene-
4 my. They made kings for themselves but not by me — they
set up a government and did not consult me; of their silver
and gold they made idols for themselves that they might be
5 utterly cut off". Away with thy calf, Ο Samaria! my wrath is
Ch. IX. HOSEA.
6 kindled against them. How long shall things which cannot be
made clean be in Israel? A carpenter made it; it is no God.
7 Because thy calf, Ο Samaria, was an imposture — because they
sowed blasted seed, therefore the catastrophe was correspon-
dent; there is not a handful capable of yielding meal. And had
8 it succeeded, strangers would have devoured it. Israel is swal-
lowed up — he is now among the nations like an useless vessel,
9 because he went up to the Assyrians. While Ephraim conti-
nued at home he sprouted again. They loved gifts, therefore
10 they shall be delivered up to the nations. I will now take
charge of them, and they shall cease a little while from anoint-
11 ing a king and chiefs. Because Ephraim multiplied altars for
12 sins — altars were to him objects of love; I will prescribe for
him a multitude. Though his rites were devised for other pur-
poses, the altars \^'ere objects of love. For what purpose soe-
13 ver they offer sacrifices and eat flesh, the Lord will not accept
them; he will ηοΛν remember their iniquities and punish their
sins. They turned back to Egypt, therefore among the As-
14 Syrians they shall eat unclean things. Israel indeed forgot his
Maker and built fanes, and Juda multiplied fenced cities; but
into these cities of his I will send a fire, and it shall devour
those buildings of theirs.
IX. Rejoice not, Israel; nor be elated like the tribes, because
thou hast gone a whoring from thy God. Thou didst love
2 gifts on every corn floor; floor and press have disowned them,
3 and the wine hath disappointed them. They did not dwell in
the land of the Lord; Ephraim became an inhabitant of Egypt;
therefore among the Assyrians they shall eat unclean things.
4 They did not pour out wine to the Lord nor offer him sweet
incense; tlieir sacrifices shall be to them like the bread of af-
fliction; all that eat thereof shall be polluted. Seeing their fu-
5 neral loaves cannot come into the house of the Lord, what will
you do on the day of a solemn assembly; and on a day of a
6 festival of the Lord? For this cause behold they are going
from the misery of Egypt, and Memphis shall receive them
and Machmas shall bury them. As for their silver, destruc-
7 tion shall inherit it. Thorns shall be in their habitations. The
days of the visitation are come; at hand are the days of thy re-
compence: and Israel shall be aflilicted like the prophet who
<::h. χ. HOSEA.
was struck with horror — the man who had been inspired. By
the mukitude of thine iniquities thy madness was increased.
8 (p) Ephraim was a watchman with God, a prophet was a
cunning snare in all his ways, they had fixed a madness by a
9 house of God; they were corrupt as in the days of Gibeah. He
will remember their iniquity; he will punish their sins.
10 (J) I found Israel as a bunch of grapes in a wilderness;
and I saw their fathers like an early watcher in a fig orchard.
They went to Belphagor and abandoned themselves to shame,
11 and became abominable, compared with the beloved. Ephraim
is flown like a bird; their glories from parentage, births and
12 conceptions are gone. Forthoughthey bring up their children,
they shall be bereaved of them from among men: for (and alas
13 for them! my flesh is of them) Ephraim, as I have seen, have
roused their children for a hunt — even Ephraim hath, that he
may lead out his children to a fatal conflict. Give them —
14 (p) (O Lord what wilt thou give them?)
( J ) — A womb incapable of bearing children and dry breasts.
15 All their wickedness was occasioned by Galgal; because I hat-
ed them there on account of the wickedness of their devices,
I will drive them out of my house; I will no longer continue
16 to love them. All their chiefs are become rebellious. Ephraim
is in distress. His roots are withered. He shall no more pro-
duce fruit. For though they bring forth, I will slay the belov-
17 ed fruit of the womb. God will cast them off" because they
hearkened not to him; and they shall be wanderers among the
nations.
X. Israel was a vine with beautiful branches: the fruit there-
of was abundant. In proportion to the abundance of his fruit
he multiplied altars: in proportion to the good things of his
2 land he erected pillars. They divided their hearts; they shall
now be destroyed. He will demolish their altars. Their pillars
3 shall be in extreme distress. Because they will now say, "We
have no king, because we feared not the Lord." But as for this
4 king, what can he do for us? Speaking words, false pretences,
will he make a covenant? Will judgment spring up like a
5 Aveed in an uncultivated field? Let the inhabitants of Samaria
sojourn with the calf of the house of Ow, because its people
mourned for it. Now as they provoked it they should rejoice
Ch. XI. HOSEA.
6 at its glory— that it hath been removed from them. They in-
deed having bound it, carried it to the Assyrians, as a present
to the king larim. As an homage gift of Ephraim he will re-
ceive it, and Israel shall be exposed to shame by his counsel.
7 Samaria hath cast away her king as a chip on the surface of wa-
8 ter. The altars of On, the stumbling blocks of Israel shall in-
deed be taken away; thorns and thistles shall grow on their al-
tars, and they will say to the hills, cover us, and to the
9 mounts. Fall upon us. From the time of those mounts, Israel
sinned: it was there they stood. Should not battle against these
children of iniquity overtake them on this mount, to chastise
10 them? Peoples shall indeed be gathered against them, when
11 'they are corrected for their two iniquities. Ephraim is a heifer
taught to love victory; but I will come against her beautiful
neck; I will bring Ephraim into subjection; I will cause Juda
to keep silence; Jacob shall wrestle for himself.
12 (p) Sow for yourselves for righteousness; gather in the
fruit of life. Light up for yourselves the light of knowledge.
Seek the Lord until the fruits of righteousness come for you.
13 AVhy have you concealed impiety and gathered in the iniqui-
ties thereof ? You have eaten false fruit.
(J) Because thou hast trusted in thy sins, and in the multi-
14 tude of thine army, therefore destruction shall be raised up
among thy people; and all thy fortifications shall be swept away,
as chief Satamin was out of the house of Jeroboam. In the
days of battle a mother was dashed to pieces upon her chil-
15 dren. In this manner I will deal with you, Ο house of Israel,
because of the perverseness of your iniquities.
(p) Early in the morning they have been rejected! the
king of Israel is cast off!
XL (J) When Israel was young I loved him, and I called his
2 children out of Egypt. The more I called them, the more
they ran from my presence. They sacrificed to the Baalims,
3 and burned incense to graven images ; therefore I bound
Ephraim's feet. I took him up in my arms. When they did
not know that I heal by the destruction of men, I bound them
4 with the cords of my love. Now I will be to them as a man
who slappeth his cheeks, and I will keep an eye upon him,
5 and exercise authoritv over him. Ephraim dwelt in Egypt,
Ch. XII. HOSEA.
though Assur was his king. Because he refused to return, he
6 was weakened in his cities by the sword. And it caused him
to rest with his hands ; and they shall eat the fruit of their
devices.
7 (p) His people are indeed in imminent danger of being
removed from their dwelling, will God be provoked against
his honours so as never to exalt him ?
8 (J) What shall I do with thee, Ephraim ? Shall I shield
thee, Israel ? What must I do with thee ? Shall I make thee
as Adama and as Seboim ? My heart relenteth for him. My
9 compassion is moved. I will not act according to the fierce-
ness of mine indignation, I will not give up Ephraim to utter
destruction. For I am God and am not man — The Holy One
in the midst of thee.
10 (p) Am I tlien not to enter a city? Am I to follow the
Lord ? Will he roar like a lion ? And because of his roarins",
will the children of waters be aifrighted ?
11 (J) They shall be frighted like a bird out of Egj^pt, and
like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians. And I will bring
them back to their own homes, saith the Lord.
12 Ephraim encompassed me with a lie, and the house of
Israel and Juda, with impieties. Now God had acknowledged
them, and they were to be called the holy people of God. —
XII. But this Ephraim is an evil spirit, he pursued a blast-
ing wind the whole day. He multiplied emptiness and vanity.
Though he made a covenant with the Assyrians, yet oil went
2 continually to Egypt. With Juda also the Lord hath contro-
versy. To vindicate Jacob, he will retribute to him, accord-
3 ing to his Λvays, and according to his devices. In the womb
Jacob kicked his brother, but in his troubles he wrestled
4 with God. He indeed wrestled with an angel and prevailed.
Have they wept or have they supplicated me? Have they found
me in the house of On ? Or have they been spoken to there ?
5 The Lord God Almighty was to be his memorial : To thy
6 God therefore thou art to return. Keep mercy and judgment
and draw near to thy God continually.
7 As for Chanaan, in his hand is a deceitful balance. He lov-
8 ed to tyrannise. Ephraim indeed said, "But I am rich, I have
found a rest for myself." Becausr of the iniquities which he
Ch. XIII. HOSEA
hath committed, none of his labours shall turn to account. I
9 the Lord am thy God. I brought thee up out of the land of
Egypt, I will yet cause thee to dwell in tents, as in the days
10 of a festival. Shall I speak to prophets ? Though I have mul-
tiplied visions, and by the ministry of prophets made com-
11 parisons, was it only because of Galaad? There were liars
indeed at Galaad — chiefs sacrificing ; but their altars were like
heaps in an uncultivated field.
12 (p) Though Jacob fled to the plain of Syria, and Israel
made himself a slave for a wife, and for a wife kept watch, yet
by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Egypt
and by a prophet he was preserved.
13 (J) Ephraim hath kindled indignation and provoked to
wrath ; his blood therefore shall be poured out on him, and
XIII. the Lord will retribute to him his reproach. Accord-
ing to Ephraim's own accoimt he received rules of rectitude
by Israel, but he attributed them to Baal and incurred death.
2 And now they have proceeded on to greater acts of sin ; and
of their silver have made themselves a molten image, accord-
ing to the image of idols. The handiworks of craftsmen being
consecrated for them. They say, Sacrifice men, for young
3 bulls have failed. For this cause they shall be like a morn-
ing cloud, and like a transient dew of the morning — like chaft"
blown from a winnowing floor and like a vapour from tears.
4 As for lue, I the Lord thy God am he who established the
heaven, and created the earth, whose hands have created ail
the host of heaven ; but I did not display these to thee that
thou shouldst go after them : as I have brought thee up
out of the land of Egypt ; therefore thou shalt acknow-
ledtje no God besides me. Indeed besides me there is no
5 Saviour. It was I who fed thee in the desert — in an unin-
6 habited land- When in their pastures they were fed to the
full ; then were their hearts lifted up. For this cause they for-
7 got me. Therefore I will be to them as a tiger, even as a tigress
8 in the way to the Assyrians. I will meet them as a bear be-
reaved of her cubs, and rend the covering of their heart; and
the young lions of the forest shall there devour them ; and the
9 beasts of the field shall tear them to pieces, in thy destruction,
10 Ο Israel., who can give succour? Where is this king of thine '^
Ch. XIV. HOSEA.
Let him save thee in all thy cities. Let him judge thee, of
11 whom thou saidst, "Give me a king and a chief." I gave thee
a king in mine indignation, and in my wrath restrained the
12 whirlwind of Ephraim's iniquity. As his sin is carefully laid
13 up in store, pangs asof a woman in travail shall come upon
him. —
(p) With regard to that son of thine who is prudent, why
may not he survive in the destruction of children.
14 (J) Him I will deliver from the power of the grave, and
from death I Avill redeem them.
(p) Ο death, where is thy punishment? Where thy sting,
Ο grave? Is comfort hid from mine eyes? Since he will make
15 a distinction among brethren; let the Lord bring upon him a
blasting wind from the desert, and let it dry up his veins and
lay waste his fountains; let it parch up his land and all his pre-
cious stores.
16 (J) Samaria shall be utterly destroyed : because she re-
belled against her God, they shall fall by the sword; and their
infants shall be dashed to pieces, and their women with child
shall be ripped up.
XIV. (p) Ο Israel, return to the Lord thy God. Seeing they
2 have been weakened for thine iniquities, take words with you
and return to the Lord your God, and, that you may not re-
ceive the punishment of iniquity but may receive good things,
3 say to him, " We will render to thee the fruit of our lips. As-
sur cannot save us. We will no more mount horses ; we will
no more say to the works of our hand, *' You are our gods."
He who is in thee will compassionate the fatherless.
4 (J) I will heal their habitations. I will undoubtedly love
them. Because he hath turned away my wrath from him, I
5 will be to Israel like dew. He shall bloom like a lily, and shoot
6 out his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; and he
shall be like a fruitful olive tree, and like that of Lebanon
7 shall be his fragrance. They shall return and dwell under his
shade; they shall live and be plentifully fed with corn. And
he shall flourish like a vine and the memorial of him shall be
8 like the wine of Lebanon. As for Ephraim, what hath he any
nioreto dowith idols? I humbled him and I will strengthen
VOL. III. ^' Β
Ch. XIV. HOSEA.
him. I am like a fruitful juniper ; from me thou shalt find
fruit.
9 (p) Who is wise that he may understand these things,
prudent, that he may know them ? Because the ways of the
Lord are straight; therefore the righteous will walk in them :
But in them the wicked shall be without strength.
JOEL.
I. A word of the Lord xuhich came to Joel son of BathucL
2 HEAR these things ye elders ! And give ear all ye inha-
bitants of the land ! Have such things happened in your days,
3 or in the days of your fathers? Of these things give an ac-
count to your children; and let your children tell their chil-
dren; and their children, another generation.
4 The leavings of the palmer worm have been devoured by
the giasshopper, and the leavings of the grasshopper have
been devoured by the locust. And the mildew hath consum-
ed what the locust left.
5 AAvake ye drunkards, from your wine and weep. Sing a
mournful song all ye who drink wine to drunkenness ; for joy
6 and gladness are gone from your mouth. For against my land
a nation is come up, strong and innumerable. Their teeth are
the teeth of lions; and their grinders, those of a young lion.
7 They have made my vineyard a desolation; and my fig orch-
ards, a waste. They have searched it thoroughly and it is gone
to wreck; they have made the branches thereof white.
8 Let thy song of woe before me be more plaintive than that
of a bride clothed with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
9 Sacrifice and libation are taken away from the house of the Lord.
Mourn ye priests, who minister at the Lord's altar, because
10 the fields are wasted. Let the land mourn : because the corn
hath suffered grievously : wine is dried away; oil is diminish-
11 ed; husbandmen are parched up. Mourn, ye farms, for the
wheat and barley, because the harvester is perished from the
12 field. The vines are withered and the fig trees are diminish-
ed; peach and palm and citron trees and all the trees of the
13 field are withered. Because the children of men are ashamed
Ch. II. JOEL,
of joy, gird yourselves, ye priests, and lament bitterly : sing
the song of woe, ye ΛνΙιο minister at the altar; go in and sleep
14 in sackcloth, ye ministers of God. Because sacrifice and liba-
tion are withheld from the house of your God. Set apart a fast;
proclaim a solemn service; assemble the elders — all the inha-
bitants of the land, to the house of your God, and cry to the
Lord incessandy, " Ah me ! Ah me ! Ah me ! for the day."
15 For the day of the Lord is at hand; and it will come like de-
16 struction on destruction. Food is utterly destroyed before your
17 eyes — ^joy and gladness, from the house of your God. The
heifers starded at their stalls. Stores are exhausted; wine lakes
18 are gone to ruin. As the com is blasted, what shall we sub-
stitute for ourselves? The herds of cattle uttered mournful
lowings, because there was no pasture for them; and the flocks
19 of sheep are utterly destroyed. To thee, Ο Lord, let me cry
for myself, because a fire hath consumed the pleasant places
of the wilderness, and a flame hath blasted all the trees of the
20 field. To thee indeed the cattle in the plain have looked up,
because the springs of water are quite dry, and a fire hath de-
voured the pleasant places of the wilderness.
II. Blow the trumpet in Sion; make proclamation on my holy
mountain. And let all the inhabitants of the land be alarmed.
2 For the day of the Lord is approaching — for it is near — a day
of darkness and gloom — a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Like dawn, there shall be poured out on the mountains a peo-
ple numerous and powerful, the like of them hath never been,
3 nor shall be any more to the years of all generations. Before
them is a kindling fire, and all behind them a glowing flame.
Before them the land is like a pleasure garden, and behind
them, a scene of desolation : and there is none who can escape
4 them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and
5 like horsemen they can pursue. With a noise like that of
chariots they will bound over the tops of mountains and their
noise is like that of a flaming fire consuming stubble. They
are like a people numerous and powerful, arrayed for battle.
6 At their presence peoples will be appalled and every fiice
7 covered with blackness. They can run like warriors and like
mighty warriors scale walls; and every one will march in his
8 own path. They will not alter their lines of march; nor will any
Ch. II. JOEL.
one separate from his comrade. They will march loaded with
their arms, and though they fall on their weapons they shall
- 9 not be killed. They will surprise the city and run upon the
walls; they will climb up the houses and enter at windows like
10 thieves. At their presence the earth will be confounded and
the heaven shaken, and the sun and the moon will be darken-
ed, and the stars will withdraw their refulgence, and the Lord
11 will utter his voice before his army. Because the circuit of his
camp is very large — because the operation of his words is ir-
resistable — because the day of the Lord is great, extremely
12 awful; Λvho therefore shall be able to abide it? Now therefore
saith the Lord your God, turn to me with your whole heart,
and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning.
13 Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord
your God; for he is gracious and merciful, long suftering and
14 full of compassion, and relenteth at evils. Who knoweth but
he will turn and relent, and leave behind him a blessing and a
sacrifice and a libation for the Lord your God.
15 Sound the trumpet in Sion. Appoint a fast; proclaim a
16 solemn act of worship. Assemble the people ; sanctify the
congregation ; choose elders. Bring together infants at the
breast. Let the bridegroom come forth from his chamber and
17 the bride from her Λvardrobe. At the foot of the altar, let the
priests who minister to the Lord, weep, and say. Spare, Ο
Lord, thy people; and give not up thy heritage to reproach —
for the nations to rule over them.
18 That they may not say among the nations, "Where is their i
19 God?" the Lord was indeed jealous for his land and spared
his people. And the Lord answered and said to his people, Be-
hold I will send you corn and wine and oil, and with them you
shall be plentifully supplied. And I will no more make you a
20 reproach among the nations. This army from the north I will
remove from } ou, and drive it to a'land without water, and
destroy its front in the first and its rear in the last sea : and
21 its smell shall come up and its stench shall ascend, because it
hath magnified its works.
(p) Take courage, Ο land, rejoice and be glad ; for it is
22 the Lord who made it great to perform exploits. Take cour-
age, Ο beasts of the field; for the plains of the wilderness are
Ch. ΠΙ. JOEL.
in bloom. Because the trees have yielded their fruit — the fig
23 tree and the vine have put forth their strength; rejoice there-
fore, ye children of Sion and exult in the Lord your God : for
he hath given you this food for righteousness, and he will dis-
24 til upon you the former and the latter rain as heretofore. And
your threshing floors shall be filled with corn, and your vats
shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 (J) I will indeed make you compensation for what hath
been devoured by the grasshopper and the locust, the palmer
Λvorm and the mildew — that great army of mine which I sent
26 against you. And you shall eat plentifully and be satisfied, and
shall praise the name of the Lord your God, who hath dealt
wonderfully with you; and my people shall never be put to
27 shame. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I the Lord am your God and besides me there is no
28 other; and my people shall never be put to shame. And it shall
come to pass after these things that I will pour out a portion
of my spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy; and your old men shall dream dreams ; and
29 your young men shall see visions. And on my servants and on
my hand maids in those days I will pour out a portion of my
30 spirit. And I will exhibit wonders in heaven and on the earth,
3 1 blood and fire and smoky vapour. The sun shall be turned
into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of
32 the great and illustrious day of the Lord. But whoever will
call on the name of the Lord shall be saved; for on mount Si-
on and in Jerusalem shall be the Saviour, as the Lord hath
said, and the publishers of glad tidings, whom the Lord hath
called.
III. Because, lo! Here I am in those days and at that time when
2 I have brought back the captivity of Juda and Jerusalem; and
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley
of Josaphat and plead with them there for my people and my
heritage, Israel, who have been scattered among the nations.
3 They indeed divided my land among themselves and cast
lots for my people; they gave my boys to harlots and sold my
4 girls for wine and drank it. Now what have you, Tyre and Si-
don and all Galilee of foreign tribes, to do with me? Are you
« rendering me a retribution? Or are you venting your spite
«
Ch. IIL JOEL.
against mc? On your heads I will severely and speedily return
5 your retribution. Because you have taken my silver and my
6 gold, and carried my choicest goods into your temples, and
sold the sons of Juda and the sons of Jerusalem to the Greeks,
7 that you might remove them far from their borders; therefore
behold I will raise them up from the places whither you sold
8 them, and return your retribution on your heads. And I will
deliver your sons and your daughters into the hands of the
sons of Juda, that they may sell them as captives to a far dis-
tant nation.
9 Because the Lord hath spoken, proclaim these things
amons: the nations. Declare war : rouse the warriors : assem-
10 ble and march up, all ye men of war. Beat your ploughshares
into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak
11 say, I am strong. Assemble and come all ye nations around
and be there gathered together. Let the man of peace become
12 a soldier. Let all the nations be roused and come up to the
valley of Josaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the nations
13 around. Put to the sickles, for the harvest is come; go in and
tread for the vat is full. Cause the wine lakes to overflow: for
14 their wicked deeds have been multiplied. Screams resound in the
valley of Judgment ! Because the day of the Lord in the val-
15 ley of Judgment is at hand. The sun and the moon shall be
obscured in darkness; and the stars shall withdraw their reful-
16 gence; and the Lord will utter a shout from Sion, and from
Jerusalem he will send forth his voice ; and the heaven and
the earth shall be shaken: but the Lord will spare his
17 people and strengthen the sons of Israel. And ye shall know
that I am the Lord your God, who dwell in Sion my holy
mountain, and Jerusalem shall be holy and strangers shall no
18 more pass through it. And it shall come to pass in that day,
that the mountains shall distil new wine ; and the hills shall
send forth streams of milk; and all the fountains of Juda shall
pour out water; and a fountain shall issue from the house
19 of the Lord, which shall water the valley of bulrushes. Egypt
shall be a desolation, and Idumca a scene of destruction, for
the injuries done to the children of Juda — for tlieir having shed
30 innocent blood in their land : but Judea shall be inhabited for
21 ever, and Jerusalem for generations of generations : and I will ,
Ch. III. JOEL,
make inquisition for their blood, and will not pass it over un-
revenged : and the Lord will dwell in Sion.
AMOS.
I. The words of Amos which came to him at Akkarim of The-
koue, which came to him in vision concerning Jerusalem in
the days of Ozias king of Juda^ and in the days of Jero-
boam son of Joas, king of Israel, two years before the earth-
quake. And he said,
2 From Sion the Lord hath spoken with majesty, and from
Jerusalem he uttered his voice, and the pastures of the shep-
3 herds mourned, and the top of Carmel withered. And the
Lord said.
For the three transgressions of Damascus, and for four
shall I not be averse from it ?
Because with iron saws they sawed asunder the pregnant
4 wives of the men of Galaad ; therefore I will send a fire into
the house of Azael, and it shall devour the foundations of Ben-
5 Ader. And I will break the bars of Damascus, and utterly
destroy the inhabitants out of the plain of On, and I will cut
off a tribe from the men of Charran, and the chosen people
of Syria shall be made captives, saith the Lord.
6 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of Ga-
za, and for four, shall I not be averse from them ? Because
they captivated the captives of the Salamonites, to deliver them
7 up to Idumea ; therefore I will send a fire against the Avails
8 of Gaza, and it shall devour the foundations thereof. And I
will utterly destroy inhabitants out of Azotus, and a tribe shall
be taken away from Ascalon ; and I will lay my hand on Ak-
• karon, and the remnant of the Philistines shall be destroved
saith the Lord.
9 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of
Tyre, and for four shall I not be averse from it ? Because
they delivered up the captives of the Salamonites to Idumea,
10 and did not remember the covenant of brothers ; therefore
I will send a fire against the walls of Tyre, and it shall devour
the foundation thereof.
Ch. 11. AMOS.
11 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of
Idumea, and for four shall I not be averse from it? Because
they pursued their brother with a sword, and violated a mo-
ther on the ground : he indeed to evidence his intention seiz-
ed by force ; he kept up his horror and his onset till he accom-
12 plished his purpose ; therefore I will send a fire against Thai-
man, and it shall consume the foundation of its walls.
13 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of the
Ammonites, and for four shall I not be averse from them?
Because they ripped up the pregnant wives of the Galaadites,
14 that they might enlarge their own borders; therefore agamst the
walls of Rabbath I will kindle a fire, which shall consume its
foundations, with a shout in the day of battle ; and it shall
15 be shaken in the day of its destruction ; and its kings shall
go into captivity, and their priests, and their chiefs together,
saith the Lord.
II. Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of.
Moab, and for four shall I not be averse from him ? Be-
2 cause he burned into lime the bones of the king of Idumea ;
therefore I will send a fire into Moab, and it shall devour the
foundations of her cities, and Moab shall die of weakness :
3 with shouting and with the clangour of trumpets, I will cut
oif her judge, and slay all her chiefs with him, saith the Lord.
4 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of
the children of Juda, and for four, shall I not be averse from
him? Because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and
have not kept his commandments, and have been led astray
by their vanities which they made, which their fathers had fol-
5 lowed; therefore I will send a fire against Juda, and it shall de-
vour the foundations of Jerusalem.
6 Thus saith the Lord, For the three transgressions of Israel,
and for four, shall I not be averse from him ? Because they
sold a righteous one for silver and a needy one for a pair of
7 sandals; and dashed their sandals against the heads of the poor;
and turned aside the way of the meek; and a son and a father
8 went in unto the same handmaid. That they might profane the
name of their God, having bound their garments with cords of
rushes, they pitched their tents near the altar, and drank, in
9 the house of their God, wine got by extortion. As for me, I
Ch, III. AMOS.
removed from before them the Amorite whose stature was like
that of a cedar. Though he was strong as an oak, I withered
10 his fruit above and his roots underneath. I indeed brought
you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you about in the wil-
derness forty years, that you might inherit the land of the
11 Amorites. And I took some of your sons for prophets, and
some of your young men for a state of sanctification. Are
not these things so, Ο children of Israel? Saith the Lord.
12 But you caused my sanctified ones to drink wine; and charged
13 the prophets, saying, "You shall not prophesy:" Therefore be-
hold I will roll under you, as a cart roUeth Λvhich is loaded
14 with sheaves, so that flight shall perish from the swift runner;
and the strong will not be master of his strength; and the war-
15 rior shall not save his life. And the bowman shall not stand,
nor shall the swift of foot escape; even the horseman shall
16 not save his life. The mighty will not know how to act with
their forces: the naked shall, in that day, pursue, saith the
Lord.
III. (p) Hear this word which the Lord hath spoken against
you, Ο house of Israel !
(J) Yes, against every tribe which I brought out of the
land of Egypt, saying, Of all the tribes of the earth, I acknow-
ledge none but you. Therefore I will punish you for all your
sins.
(p) Will two walk together continually unless they agree?
4 Will a lion roar from his forest when he hath no prey? Will a
young lion utter a continued roar from his den unless he be
5 tearing something? Will a bird fall on the'ground unless he
be shot? Will a gin on the ground be loosened, unless some-
6 thing be caught? Shall a trumpet sound in a city and the peo-
ple not be alarmed? Can there be in a city a calamity which the
7 Lord hath not inflicted? Seeing the Lord will not do any thing
8 without giving warning to his servants; shall a lion roar and
none be struck with dread? Hath the Lord spoken and will
9 none prophesy? Make proclamation in the provinces of Assy-
ria, and in the regions of Egypt, and say. Assemble yourselves
on the mountains of Samaria, and see many wonderful things
in the midst thereof, and the cruel oppression which is in it,
10 Now did she not know things which will be before her? Saith the
VOL. III. -3 c
Ch. IV. AMOS.
Lord. They are treasuring up injustice and misery in their
11 countries. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, " Tyre is all
around. Thy land shall be wasted." He will break thy power
12 and thy regions shall be ravaged. Thus saith the Lord, "As
when a shepherd snatcheth from the mouth of a lion two legs
or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be snatched,
who dwell in Samaria over against that tribe and in Damas-
cus.'*
13 Hear ye priests, and testify to the house of Israel, saith the
14 Lord Almighty, That on the day when I punish Israel for his
impieties, I will execute vengeance also on the altars of Bethel;
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground.
15 I will confound and smite the turretted house over the sum-
mer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish; and many
other houses shall perish with them, saith the Lord.
IV. Hear this word, ye heifers of Basanitis, ye who are on the
mountain of Samaria; who tyrannise over the distressed and
trample the needy, who say to your masters. Bring and let us
2 drink. The Lord sweareth by his Holies, that lol days are com-
ing upon you when fiery pestilent men will seize you with
3 arms ; and throw them with you into boiling kettles : and
you shall be dragged out naked over against one another, and
4 cast out naked on the mountain Romman, saith the Lord. You
have gone to Baithel and committed transgression, to Galgala
and multiplied transgressions, and have offered your sacrifices
5 every morning, and your tythes eveiy three days; for having
publicly read a law they proclaimed thanksgivings. Proclaim
them, because in such things the children of Israel delight,
6 saith the Lord. But as for me, I will give you gnashing of
teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places.
7 When you returned not to me, saith the Lord, I withheld
from you the rain three months before harvest; with an intent
to rain on one city and on another city not to rain. One part
was to be watered, and the part on Avhich 1 did not rain, to be
8 dried up; so that two or three cities should crowd to one city
for drink and not be satisfied.
9 And when you turned not to me, saith the Lord, I smote
you with blasting and mildew: you multiplied your gardens:
Ch. V. AMOS.
the caterpillar devoured your vineyards and your fig trees and
your olive orchards.
10 When even for this you turned not to me, saith the Lord,
I sent death among you by the way of Egypt, and slew your
young men with the sword and gave up your horses to capture:
11 and by your rage I involved your camps in fire. And when
even for this you turned not to me, saith the Lord, I overthrew
you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorra; and you became
like a brand plucked out of fire.
12 Now as even for this you have not turned to me, saith the
Lord, therefore in this manner will I deal with thee, Israel.
But because I will deal thus with thee, prepare, Ο Israel, to in-
13 voke thy God: for behold here am I, who give strength to
thunder — Who create wind, and proclaim for men his anoint-
ed one — who make the morning dawn and thick darkness, and
who walk on the high places of the earth, whose name is the
Lord God, Omnipotent.
V. (p) Hear this word of the Lord — a song of woe which I
2 take up respecting you. The house of Israel is fallen. Shall it
never more rise again? The virgin of Israel is prostrate on the
ground. Is there none to raise her up? For this cause thus saith
3 the Lord, Lord, of the city from which a thousand marched,,
there shall be left a hundred; and of the city, from which a
hundred marched, ten shall be left to the house of Israel.
4 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord to the house of Israel, Seek
me and you shall live. But seek not Baithel, nor go to Galgal,
5 nor pass on to the Well of Oath: because Galgal shall surely
go into captivity, and Baithel shall be as if it had never existed.
Seek the Lord and live, that the house of Joseph may not blaze
like a fire, and devour him: and the house of Israel have none
7 to quench it. He is the exalter of judgment and hath establish-
8 ed righteousness for the earth. He is the maker and the form-
er of all things. He turneth darkness into day, and dai'keneth
the day into night. He calleth to him the water of the sea, and
9 poureth it out on the face of the earth. His name is the Lord.
He setteth destruction against strength and bringeth misery
on bulwarks.
10 (J) They hated a reprover in the gates and held in abhor-
11 rence a holy word; therefore because they have beaten the
Ch. VI. AMOS.
poor with their fists, though you had received from them choice
gifts; you have buih houses of hewn stone; but in them you
shall not dwell; you have planted lovely vineyards, but you
shall not drink the Λνίηε thereof.
12 (p) Because I know your manifold impieties and your
sins are mighty — you trample down the righteous, take pledg-
13 es and turn aside the poor in the gates; therefore the prudent
will at that time be silent because it is the time of wicked men,
14 Seek good and not evil that you may live, and so the Lord
15 God Almighty will be with you. As you have said, We have
hated evil and loved good; therefore re-establish judgment in
the gates, that the Lord God Almighty may have compassion
16 on the remnant of Joseph. For this purpose, saith the Lord, the
God Almighty, in all the streets let there be wailing, and in
all the highways let them say, Alas! Alas! Let the husbandman
be called to lamentation and mourning, and to them who are
17 skilled in the song of woe. And in all the ways let there be
wailing; for I will pass through the midst of thee, said the
18 Lord. Alas for them who desire the day of the Lord! Why
should you desire the day of the Lord, when it is darkness and
19 not light? As if a man would flee from the face of a lion and
a bear met him, or, as if one would leap into a house and Ican-
20 ing his hand on the wall a serpent bit him. Is not this day of
the Lord darkness and not light — even thick darkness, in
which there is not a ray of light?
21 (J) I have hated, I have rejected your festivals, and I will
22 not smell your sacrifices at your solemn assemblies. Therefore
though you offer me whole burnt offerings, I will not accept
your sacrifices nor regard your sumptuous peace offerings.
23 Take from me the noise of thy songs, and let me not hear the
24 melody of musical instruments; but let judgment roll down
25 like water, and righteousness like an impassable torrent. Did
you, Ο house of Israel, offer to me burnt offerings and sacrifi-
ces, forty years in the wilderness? You have indeed taken up
26 the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Raiphan — those
types of them which you have made for yourselves. Therefore
I will remove you beyond Damascus; saith the Lord, the God
whose name is the Almighty.
VI. Alas for them who despise Sion and have put their trust
Ch. VII. AMOS.
in the mount of Samaria. They have gathered as a vintage
2 the governments of nations and gone in. Ο house of Israel,
Go ve all over [to Chalane] and see, and thence pass on to
Ematraba and thence go down to Gath of the Philistines, to
the strongest of all those kingdoms of theirs. Are their bor-
3 ders larger than yours, who are coming to an evil day, who are
drawing near and on the point of touching false sabbaths?
4 Some of you are sleeping on beds of ivory and lolling at ease
on their couches, and eating kids from the flocks, and from
5 the herds calves fed with milk : some are dwelling on the
sound of musical instruments; as if they thought it fixed and
6 not fleeting. Some are drinking filtered wine and anointing
themselves with most precious ointment and have no feeling
7 for the afiliction of Joseph. Now for this cause, from being a
a government of mighties they shall be captives, and the
8 neighing of horses shall be taken away from Ephraim. For
the Lord hath sworn by himself, As I abhor all this haughti-
ness of Jacob and have hated all his regions, therefore I will
9 destroy cities with all their inhabitants. And it shall come to
10 pass that if ten head men be left in one family, they shall die
and the residue shall be left and their domestics shall succeed
them. And when they are pressed to bring their bones out of
the house, one will say to them who are over the family, Arc
there any more yet with thee? And when one will say, There
11 is no more : then will one say, Forbear to mention the name
of the Lord on this account; for behold the Lord command-
eth, and he will smite the great house with breaches and the
12 small house with fractures. Can horses pursue among rocks?
Will they refrain from whinnying at females ? Because you
have turned judgment into fury, and the fruit of righteousness
13 into bitterness, some rejoicing in a thing of naught, and others
14 saying, "Have we not by our own strength takenhorns?" There-
fore, behold I will raise up against you, Ο house of Israel, a
nation, saith the Lord of hosts, who shall afilict you that you
may not enter the bay of Aimath, nor approach the brook at
the settings of the sun.
VII. (p) So the Lord God pointed out to me, and lo ! an
eastern swarm of locusts was coming and behold a bronchus
locust, one Gog, was their king; and when they had complete-
Qi. VII. AMOS.
ly devoured the grass of the land, I said, Ο Lord, Lord, be
appeased. Who shall raise up Jacob? Because he is very
2 small, relent, Ο Lord at this.
3 This therefore shall not be, saith the Lord.
4 So the Lord pointed out to me, and lo ! the Lord had
called for the punishment by fire and it was devouring the
5 great abyss and consuming the portion of the Lord, Avhere-
upon I said, Cease, Ο Lord, I beseech thee. Who shall raise
6 up Jacob? Because he is very small, relent, Ο Lord, at this.
This then shall not be, saith the Lord.
7 So the Lord pointed out to me; and lo ! he was standing on
a Avail of adamant and in his hand was an adamant. And the
Lord said to me, What dost thou see, Amos? And when I
8 said, An Adamant; the Lord said to me. Behold I interpose an
adamant in the midst of my people Israel that I may no more
9 permit them to transgress. Ridiculous altars shall indeed be
utterly destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid
waste and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with
a sword.
10 Then Amasias the priest of Baithel sent to Jeroboam king
of Israel, saying, Amos is raising insurrections against thee
in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all
11 his words. For thus Amos saith, " Jeroboam shall die by the
sword; and Israel shall be carried away captive from his land."
12 Moreover Amasias said to Amos, Begone, seer. Get thee to
13 the land of Juda and dwell there ; and prophesy there ; but
against Baithel thou shalt not continue to prophesy; for it is
14 the sanctuary of the king. It is the king's house. Whereupon
Amos answered and said to Amasias, I was not a prophet, nor
15 a son of a prophet. I was only a herdsman and a gatherer of
dates; and the Lord took me from the flocks and the Lord said
16 to me, Go and prophesy against my people Israel. Now there-
fore hear a \\'Ord of the Lord, Thou sayst, " Prophesy not
against Israel," and " Thou shalt not give any disturbance to
17 Israel." Therefore thus saith the Lord,
" Thy wife shall be a prostitute in the city ; and thy sons
and thy daughters shall fall by the sword ; and thy land shall
be measured out λν'ιύι a line; andthou shalt die in a polluted
land; and Israel shall be carried captive from his land."
Ch. VIII. IX. AMOS,
VIII. So the Lord, Lord pointed out to me, and lol a fowler's
2 basket. And he said, Amos, what dost thou see? And when I
said, A fowler's basket, the Lord said to me, The end is come
upon my people Israel. I will no more permit them to trans-
3 gress. In that day indeed the vaulted cielings of this temple
shall resound with cries of woe, saith the Lord, Lord. Multi-
tudes are fallen every where, I will bring on silence.
4 (p) Hear this, I beseech you, ye who every morning op-
press the needy, and by your tyranny drive the poor from the
5 land, saying. When will the new moon be over that we may
buy? And the sabbaths, that we may open store? to make
the measure small, and the weight heavy, and to make the
6 balance uneven, that we may purchase the poor for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals, when from every kind of
7 product we shall have made gain. The Lord sweareth, in op-
position to this arrogance of Jacob, that none of these works
8 of yours shall ever be forgotten. Now for these things shall
not the land be troubled and every inhabitant therein mourn?
Destruction indeed shall swell like a river, and flow down like
9 the river of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day,
saith the Lord, Lord, That the sun shall set at noon day, and
10 the light on that day shall be darkened on the earth. And
I will turn your festivals into mourning, and all your songs
into songs of lamentation. And I will bring sackcloth on ever^-^
loin and baldness on every head, and cause a mourning for
him like that for a beloved, and for them with him, like that
of a day of sorrow.
11 Behold days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will send
a famine against the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst
12 for water; but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. And
they shall fluctuate as water from sea to sea, and run to and
fro; from north to east seeking the word of the Lord, and shall
13 not find it. In that day the fair virgins and young men shall
faint for thirst. They who swear by the atonement of Samaria,
and they who say. Thy God, Ο Dan, liveth : thy God, Ο Ber-
sabee, liveth, shall indeed fall and shall never rise any more.
IX. I saw the Lord standing on the altar, and he said. Smite
the propitiatory and let die porches be shaken, and cut them
clown on the heads of them all; and those of them who arf left
Ch. IX. AMOS.
I will slay with the sword. Such of them as flee shall not get
2 away; and such of them as escape shall not be saved. Though
they hide themselves in the mansion of the dead, thence my
hand will drag them up. And though they climb up to heaven,
3 thence I will bring them down. Though they hide themselves
on the top of Carmel, I will there search them out and take
them. And should they go down from my sight into the depths
of the sea, I will there give orders to the dragon and he will
4 bite them. And if they go into captivity before their enemies,
I will there command the sword and it shall slay them. I will
indeed keep mine eyes fixed on them for evils and not for
5 good — even I who am the Lord, the Lord God Almighty who
toucheth the earth and shaketh it, and all its inhabitants shall
mourn, and its destruction shall swell like a river, and flow
6 down like the river of Egypt; who buildeth his stairs up to
heaven, and his tribunal on the foundations of the earth ; who
calleth to him the water of the sea and poureth it out on the
7 face of the earth, the Lord Almighty is his name.
Are not you, Ο Israelites, the same to me as the Ethiopians,
saith the Lord. Did I notbring Israel up out of the land of Egypt,
and the Phihstinesoutof Cappadociaandthe Syrians from Both-
8 ras? Behold the eyes of the Lord God are against every kingdom
of sinners, and I will cut it off" from the face of the earth. But
because I will not utterly destroy the house of Israel, saith the
9 Lord, therefore I order, and I will scatter the house of Israel
among all the nations, as if they were winnowed with a fan;
10 and not a morsel of it shall fall on this land. By the sword all
the sinners of my people shall die, who say, These evils shall
not come near nor fall upon us.
1 1 In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David which hath
fallen; I will rebuild those parts of it which have fallen to de-
cay, and repair what have been demolished. I will indeed re-
12 build it as in the days of old, that the rest of mankind may
seek [the Lord] even all the nations who are called by my
name, saith the Lord who doth all these things.
13 Behold the days are coming, saith the Lord, When the
harvester shall overtake the grape gatherer; and the grape shall
begin to ripen at seeding time; and the mountains shall distil
14 sweet wine; and all the hills shall be planted. And I will bring
Ch. IX. AMOS.
back the captivity of my people Israel; and they shall rebuild
the wasted cities and inhabit them; and they shall plant vine-
yards and drink the wine thereof; and make gardens and eat
15 the fruits of them. I will indeed plant them in their own land;
and they shall no more be rooted up from the land, which I
have given them, saith the Lord God Almighty.
OBADIAH.
The vision of Obadiah.
Thus saith the Lord God to Idumea, (I heard the report
from the Lord. When he sent a message to the nations. Arise
2 and let us go up against it to battle.) Behold I have made
thee very small among the nations : thou art dishonoured in
3 a high degree. The pride of thy heart puffed thee up, dwell-
ing in the clefts of rocks. (Having made his habitation high
he said in his heart, Who can bring me down to the ground?)
4 Though thou shouldst soar aloft like an eagle, and make thy
nest among the stars ; thence I will pull thee down, saith the
5 Lord. If thieves come to thee, or robbers by night ; in what
place soever thou mayst be cast ; would they not steal what
would satisfy them ? And if grape gatherers came to thee,
6 would they leave no gleaning ? How Esau hath been search-
7 ed ! are even his hidden stores left ? They have driven thee
to the borders. All the men in league with thee, have risen up
against thee. Thy men of peace prevailed against thee. They
laid snares under thee. They have no understanding.
8 In that day, saith the Lord, I will destroy wise men out of
9 Idumea, and understanding out of the mount of Esau. And thy
warriors from Thaiman shall be dismayed, that man may be
10 removed from the mountain of Esau. On account of the impi-
ous slaughter of thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee,
1 1 and thou shalt be cut oif forever. From the day that thou
didst become an adversary, whenever the Philistines captivat-
ed his arm.y, or strangers entered his gates and cast lots on Je-
12 rusalem, thou also wast as one of them. But thou shouldst
not have looked on thy brother's day in the day of strangers ;
nor rejoiced over the children of Juda, in the day of their de-
voi. III. 3 Γ
^
Ch. I. OBADIAH.
struction ; nor shouldst thou have vaunted in'the day of afflic-
tion; nor entered people's gates in the day of their distresses.
13 Thou especially shouldst not have beheld their congregation
in the day of their destruction, nor joined to fall on their army
14 in the day of their defeat ; nor beset the passes to cUt off such
of them as were escaping ; nor shouldst thou have hemmed
15 in his fugitives, in a calamitous day. Because the day of the
Lord, against all the nations is near; as thou hast done so shall
it be done to thee : thy dealings shall be returned on thy head.
16 For in the same manner as thou hast drunk on my holy moun-
tain, all the nations shall be drunk up as wine. They shall be
drunk up and swallowed down, and be as if they had never
17 been. But on mount Sion shall be safety and a sanctuary ; and
18 the house of Jacob shall possess those who possessed them; and
the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph, a
flame ; and the house of Esau shall be as stubble ; and upon
these they shall kindle and consume them, so that there shall
not be a torch bearer to the house of Esau. For the Lord
19 hath spoken. And they in Nageb shall inherit the mountain
of Esau ; and those in Sephale shall inherit the Philistines. —
and they shall possess mount Ephraim and the plain of Sama-
20 ria and Benjamin and Galaaditis ; and this shall be the domi-
nion of the captivity — to the Israelites shall belong the land
of the Chananites to Sarepta, and to the captives of Jerusa-
lem, to Ephratha : they shall possess the cities of Nageb. —
21 And they who have been preserved, shall go up from mount
Sion to execute vengeance on the mountain of Esau. And
the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
JONAS.
L When a word of the Lord came to Jonas the son of
2 Amathi, saying, " Arise and go to Ninive that great city
and proclaim in it. That the cry of its wickedness is come up
3 to me." Jonas arose to flee to Tharsis from the presence of
the Lord, and' went down to Joppa, and finding a ship bound
to Tharsis, he paid his fare and Avent on board with a design
to sail with them to Tharsis, from the presence of the Lord
4 But the Lord raised a wind on the sea, and there was a great
Ch. II. JONAS.
tempest in the sea, so that the ship was in danger of founder•
5 ing. And the mariners were terrified, and cried every one to
his god, and threw overboard some of the cargo, to Ughten
the vessel. Now Jonas had gone down into the ship's hold,
6 and was asleep and snoring. And themaster of the ship came
to him and said to him, What ! art thou snoring ? Arise and
call on thy God, that thy God may save us, and that we may
7 not perish. Then they said, one to another. Come let us cast
lots and know on whose account this calamity is come on
8 us. So thev cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonas. Where-
upon they said to him. Tell us. What is thy business ? And
whence comest thou? And of what country, and of what
9 people art thou ? And he said to them, I am a servant of the
Lord; and I worship the Lord God of heaven, who made
10 the sea and the dry land. Upon this the men were greatly ter-
rified and said to him. Why hast thou done this? (For the
men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord,
11 for he had told them.) Then they said to him. What shall we
do to thee that the sea may be calmed for us ? For the sea
12 rolled and grew more and more tempestuous. And Jonas
" said to them. Take me up and throw me into the sea, and the
sea will be calm for you ; for I know that on my account this
13 great tempest is come upon you. When the men had labour-
ed hard to reach land, but could not because the sea ran
hio-h, and grew more tempestuous against them, then they
14 cri'^ed to the Lord and said. Forbid it, Ο Lord, that we perish,
for the life of this man, and bring not upon us innocent blood;
for thou, Ο Lord, hast done according to thy pleasure.
15 Then they took Jonas and cast him into the sea. Whereupon
16 from raging the sea became still. And the men feared the
Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made
vows.
17 Now the Lord had commanded a great fish to swallow
Jonas, so Jonas was three days and three nights, in the belly
II. of the fish. And when out of the belly of the great fish,
2 Jonas prayed to the Lord his God, and said. In my afiliction
I cried to the Lord my God, and he hearkened to me : thou
didst hear my cry from the womb of Hades : thou didst
3 hearken to my prayer : thou hast cast me into the depths of
Ch. ΠΙ. JONAS.
the heart of the sea. When streams encompassed me — all
4 thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am
cast out from thy sight ; nevertheless I will continue to look
5 towards thy holy temple. The water was poured around me
to my soul ; and the lowest abyss encompassed me ; my head
6 hath gone down into the clefts of mountains ; I have gone down
to a land, the bars of which are everlastingly fixed : let my
7 soul now, corrupted as it is, ascend, Ο Lord, my God. When
my soul was fainting I remembered the Lord ; let my prayer
8 now come to thee into thy holy temple. They who worship
9 vanities and lies have forsaken their mercy : But I will sacri-
fice to thee with the voice of praise and thanksgiving. I will
pay thee what I have vowed to the Lord for my deliverance.
10 Upon this a command was given by the Lord to the fish,
and it cast forth Jonas upon the dry ground.
III. Then a word of the Lord came to Jonas a second time
saying, "Arise and go to Ninive that great city, and proclaim
in it according to the former proclamation which I spoke to
3 thee." So Jonas arose and went to Ninive as the Lord had
spoken. Now Ninive was an exceeding great city, of about
4 three days' journey. And Jonas began at his entering the city,
and for about one day's journey cried with a loud voice and
5 said, "Yet three days and Ninive shall be destroyed.'''* And the
men of Ninive believed God and proclaimed a fast, and put
6 on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. When the word
reached the king of Ninive, he arose from his throne and
stripped off his robes and clothed himself with sackcloth and
7 sat in ashes. And proclamation was made and orders issued
in Ninive from the king and from his nobles, saying, With
regard to men and beasts, including herds and flocks, Let
them not taste any thing ; let them neither feed nor drink
8 water. So both men and beasts were covered with sackcloth ;
and there was an incessant cry to God ; and every one turned
from his evil way, and from the wickedness of their hands,
9 saying, Who knoweth but God will relent and turn away
10 from his fierce wrath, so that we may not perish. And God
saw their works, that they turned from their evil ways. And
God relented at the evil which he said he would do to them,
and did it not.
Ch. IV. JONAS.
IV. Thereupon Jonas was exceedingly grieved and confound-
ed, and he prayed to the Lord and said, Ο Lord were not these
2 my words, when I was yet in my o\vn country? For which cause
I attempted to flee to Tharsis. For I knew that thou art com-
passionate and merciful, long suffering and abundant in kind-
3 ness and relentest at evils. Now, therefore, Ο Sovereign Lord,
take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 And the Lord said to Jonas, Art thou very sorry — (Now Jonas
5 had gone out of the άίχ and sat over against it, and had made
for himself a booth and sat under it until he should see what
6 would befal the city. And the Lord had given orders to a co-
locynthis, and it had sprung up over the head of Jonas to be a
shade over his head to shade him on account of his sufferings;
7 and Jonas was exceeding glad of the colocynthis. But early
the next morning God gave orders to a worm and it smote the
δ colocynthis and it withered. And when the sun rose God or-
dered a burning Λvind to spring up and the sun beat upon Jo-
nas' head so that he became fainty and abandoned himself to
9 despair and said. It is better for me to die than to live. And
10 God said to Jonas, Art thou very sorry) for the colocynthis. And
he said I am sorry even to death. Thereupon the Lord said,
Thou hast compassion for the colocynthis, for which thou hast
not toiled and which thou hast not nourished, which sprang
1 1 up in a night and perished in a night. And shall not I have
compassion on Ninive this great city, in which there are more
than one hundred and twenty thousand of the human species,
who know not their right hand and their left; and also much
cattle.
MICAH.
I. (p) A word of the Lord came to Micah the Morasthite in
the days of Joatham and Achaz and Ezekias kings of Juda;
with regard to those things which he saw touching Samaria
2 and touching Jerusalem, Hear, Ο peoples, words! and let this
land attend and all who are in it. And let the Lord, Lord
3 among you be a witness — the Lord from his holy temple. For
behold the Lord is coming forth from his place; and he will
4 come down and walk on the heights of this land; and under
Ch. II. MICAH.
him the mountains will tremble, and the values shall melt like
wax before fire, and be like water rolling down a precipice.
5 (J) All this is on account of the impiety of Jacob, and
for the sin of the house of Israel. What is the impiety of Ja-
6 cob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the sin of the house of Ju-
da? Is it not Jerusalem? Therefore I will make Samaria like a
hut of a field and like a plant of a vineyard, and I will drag the
7 stones thereof into a ditch and lay her foundations bare. And
all her graven images shall be hack'd to pieces; and all her earn-
ings shall be burned with fire; and all her idols I will utterly
destroy.
Because from the earnings of fornication she collected, and
8 from the earnings of fornication, amassed; therefore she shall
wail and utter lamentations: she shall walk barefoot and naked;
she shall utter a wailing like that of jackals; and moanings like
the daughters of the ostrich.
9 Because her wound is large; because it hath come even to
10 Judaandreachedthe gate of my people, even to Jerusalem; mag-
nify not yourselves ye men of Gath, and ye Enakims, rebuild
not from a house, in derision. According to your derision you
11 shall sprinkle yourselves with dust. Sennaar, who dwelt at
ease in her cities, went not forth to bewail a neighbouring
house; from you she shall receive a painful wound.
12 Who led the way to good for her who was dwelling in sor-
rows, because evils from the Lord, a sound of chai'iots and
13 horsemen came down against the gates of Jerusalem? Was it
the inhabitant of Lachis? She is a leader to sin for the daugh-
ter of Slon. Because in thee have been found the impieties of
14 Israel, therefore even to the inheritance of Gath he will give
up idolatrous houses as abandoned. To the kings of Israel
15 they were of no avail. Ο inhabitant of Lachis! until the true
heirs shall be brought in — O! Odollam! until an inheritance,
16 the glory of the daughter of Israel shall come, shave thy locks
and make thyself bald for tjiy delicate children; lengthen out
thy widowhood like an eagle, for they shall be carried from
thee into captivity.
il. They planned mischief; they contrived evils on their beds,
and soon as it was day they executed them; for they did not .
2 lift up their hands to God. They coveted fields and plundered
orphans and tyrannised over houses; they plundered a man and
Ch. III. MICAH.
3 his household— a man and his inheritance; therefore thus saith
the Lord, Behold against this tribe I am planning evils, from
which you shall not\vithdraw your necks, nor walk erect sud-
4 denly. Because it is an evil time, a parable will in that day be
taken up against you, and a song of lamentation will be sung,
saying, "With affliction we have been afflicted! the portion ot
my people hath been measured with a line, and there was none
5 to hinder or turn it aside." Your fields have been parcelled out,
therefore there shall be none to stretch a line for thee by lot,
6 in the congregation of the Lord. Weep not bitterly, nor let
tears be shed for these things, for reproaches will not be cast off
7 even by him who saith, "The house of Israel hath provoked
to wrath the spirit of the Lord. Are not these his purposes?
Are not his words good with him? Have these walked m a
8 straight course?" Indeed this people of mine have openly risen
up for enmity. In direct opposition to his peace they have even
stripped off• his skin, that the extreme horror of war might de-
stroy hope.
9 The leaders of my people shall be hurled from their houses
of pleasure; for their wicked devices they have been expelled;
■ 10 draw ye near to the everlasting mountains. Arise and depart,
for this is not a rest for thee. By reason of impurity you are
11 utterly corrupted: you have been put to flight when there was
no pursuer: a spirit hath set up a lie: it hath dropped on thee
12 for wine and plenty. Yet it shall come to pass that from a drop
of this people, Jacob with all his sons shall be gathered toge-
ther. With expectation I will expect the remnant of Israel. I
will place together them who are about to return. Like sheep
in distress, like a flock in their fold, they shall rush out from
13 among men through a breach before them. They have broken
through and passed the gate; they are gone through it and
their kine is sione out before them; and the Lord will be their
leader, and he will say,
III. Hear these things ye children of the house of Jacob, and
ye remnant of the house of Israel, is it not your business to
2 know judgment? As for them who hate good and seek evil,
who tear off tlie skin from these and the flesh from their bones:
S as they have devoured the flesh of my people and have flayed
off their skin from them: and have broken their bones and
Ch. IV. MICAH.
chopped them up, as flesh for a kettle and as pieces of meat for
4 a pot: so they shall cry to the Lord but he will not hearken to
them; but will turn away his face from them at that time, be-
cause by their devices they have committed evil against these.
5 II. THUS saith the Lord against the prophets who led
my people astiay, who gnash with their teeth and proclaim
peace for them, though it was not put in their mouths; they
6 have raised up Vv^ar against them. Therefore from vision you
shall have night; and from prophesying you shall have dark-
ness. And the sun shall set upon the prophets, and upon them
7 the day shall darken: and the seers of dreams shall be put to
shame; and the diviners shall be laughed to scorn, and reviled
8 by all; for none Λνϋΐ hearken to them. None but I can, by the
spirit of the Lord, supply strength both of judgment and
might to declare to Jacob his impiety and to Israel his sins.
9 (p) Hear these things I beseech you, ye leaders of the
house of Jacob, and ye remnant of the house of Israel, who ab-
10 hor judgment and pervert all equity, who are building up Si-
on with blood and Jerusalem with injustice.
11 (J) Her rulers have judged for rewards; and her priests
have given answei s for hire; and her prophets have prophesied
for silver, without waiting for the Lord, saying, "Is not the
12 Lord among us? No evils shall come upon us:" therefore be-
cause of you, Sion shall be ploughed like a field; and Jerusa-
lem shall be like a temporary building for summer fruits; and
the mountain of the house shall be for a grove of a forest.
IV. But it shall come to pass in the last of these days, that the
mountain of the Lord shall be conspicuous; it shall be establish-
ed on the tops of the mountains, and raised high above the
2 hills; and peoples shall hasten to it. And many nations shall
come — they will say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of
the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; that they may
point out to us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Sion shall go forth a law; and the word of the Lord
β from Jerusalem. And he will judge among many peoples, and
rebuke nations of extensive power. And they shall beat their
swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall no more lift up a sword against nation; nor shall
Ch. V. MICAH.
4 they any more learn to fight. But they shall rest every man un-
der his own vine, and every man under his own fig tree ; and
there shall be none lo make them afraid.
(p) Because the mouth of the Lord Almighty hath spoken
5 these things — because all the people will walk every one in
his own λΥΆγ, let us therefore walk in the name of the Lord
our God until that age and beyond it.
6 (J) In that day, saith the Lord, I will gather her that hath
been bruised; and take back her who was cast oft' and them
7 whom I had put away : and I will make the bruised a rem-
nant, and her who was put away, a mighty nation. And the
Lord will reign over them on mount Sion henceforth and for-
8 ever. And as for thee, thou squalid tower of a flock, thou
daughter of Sion; to thee he will come, when the chiefdom,
the first royal government shall have come from Babylon for
9 the daughter of Jerusalem. Now therefore why hast thou
known evils? Was there no king for thee? Or was thy coun-
sel destroyed, that pangs of a woman in travail have seized
10 thee? Be in pangs, but take courage and draw near to delivery,
Ο daughter of Sion. For thou art now to go from a city and
to make thy abode in a field, and go even to Babylon. Thence
he will deliver thee; yes, thence the Lord thy God will redeem
11 thee out of the hands of thine enemies. Now indeed many na-
tions are assembled against thee, saying, " Let us rejoice ex-
12 ceedingly and let our eyes look upon Sion." But they did not
know the determination of the Lord nor understand his coun-
sel. Because he hath gathered ihem as sheaves for a threshing
13 floor, arise daughter of Sion and tread them out. Because I
will make thy horns iron and thy hoofs I will make brass;
therefore thou shalt break many peoples in pieces, and devote
the multitude of them to the Lord, and their substance to the
Lord of the whole earth.
V. (p) Now shall a daughter be hedged in with a hedge. He
hath ordered a siege against us.
(J) With a rod they will smite on the cheek the tribes oi
2 Israel. But as for thee, Bethlehem, thou house of Ephratha,
art thou too little to be one of the chiliads of Juda? Out of thee
one shall come forth for me to be the chief of Israel. His go-
ings forth have been from the beginning — from the days of
rOL. III. 3 Ε
Ch. VI. MICAH.
3 an age. Therefore he will continue them till the time of one
bringing forth. She shall bring forth and the rest of their brc-
4 thren shall turn to the children of Israel. And they will stand
and look and the Lord will feed his flock with majesty; and in
•the glory of the name of the Lord their God they shall subsist;
because they shall now be magnified to the ends of the earth;
therefore she shall have peace.
5 As for Assur, when he hath come against your land, and when he
6 hath passed over your country; against him shall be raised up
seven shepherds. And there shall be eight bites of men and they
will feed Assur with a sword and the land of Nebrod in its enclo-
sure. So he will deliver from the Assyrian, when he hath come
7 against your land and when he hath passed over your borders.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations in the midst
of many people, like dew falling from the Lord and like lambs
upon the wilds.
8 That none may be ungathered or left behind among
the children of men, the remnant of Jacob shall be among
the nations in the midst of many peoples, like a lion amoni^
beasts of the forest, and like a young lion among flocks
of sheep ; so that when he passeth through and hath made a
9 choice, he may tear and there shall be none to deliver. Thy
hand shall be raised up against them who afilict thee; and all
10 thine enemies shall be utterly cut off*. And it shall come to pass
in that day, saith the Lord, that I will destroy the horses from
11 the midst of thee and destroy thy chariots and I will root out
12 the cities of thy land and demolish thy fortifications. And I
will cut off" thy sorceries out of thy hands and in thee shall be
13 no diviners. And I will cut off" thy graven images and thy pil-
lars from the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship
14 the Avorks of thy hands. And I will cut down the groves from
amidst thee and utterly destroy thy cities; and with indigna-
tion and with Avrath I will execute vengeance among the na-
tions because they have not hearkened.
VI. III. (p) HEAR, I beseech you, a word. The Lord, Lord,
hath commanded.
(J) Arise; come to judgment before the mountains; and
let the hills hear thy voice 1
2 (p) Hear yc mountains the controversy of the Lord ! And
Ch. VI. MICAH.
ye vallies the foundations of the earth ! For the Lord hath a
3 controversy with his people, and with Israel he will plead. Ο
my people, what have I done to thee? Or wherein have I
4 grieved thee? Or what molestation have I given thee? Answer
me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and re-
deemed thee out of the house of bondage, and sent before thee
5 Moses and Aaron and Mariam. Ο my people call now to re-
membrance what counsel Balak king of Moab took against
thee; and what answer was made him by Balaam son of Beor,
That from Schoinon the righteousness of the Lord may be
made known to GalgaL
6 (Balak.) *'' By what mean sliall I gain over the Lord? Shall
I take him for my God most high ? Shall I gain him over by
7 Avhole burnt offerings — by calves of a year old? Will the Lord
accept me for tliousands of rams or myriads of fat goats? Must
I give my first born for iniquity — the fruit of my body for the
sin of my soul."
8 (Balaam.) "Must thou, Ο man, be told what is good?
What doth the Lord require from thee, but to do justice and to
lovemercy , and to be prepared to walk with the Lord thy God?' ^
9 (p) Let the voice of tte Lord be proclaimed in the city
and it will save them who fear his name.
(J) Hear, Ο tribe ! Who is the man that will adorn a city?
10 Will fire and the house of an unrighteous man [do it?] Or he
who is treasuring up unlawful treasures and iniquities with
1 1 haughtiness? Will an unrighteous man be justified by a ba-
lance, or false weights by a bag with which they have increas-
12 ed their wicked wealth? As they who inhabit it have spoken
13 lies and their tongue hath been exalted in their mouth; there-
fore I will begin with smiting thee — I will make thee desolate
14 for thy sins. Thou shalt eat but shalt not be satisfied. Though
ilarkness come and warn thee thou shalt not escape ; and if
15 any escape, to the sword they shall be delivered up. Thou
shalt sow but thou shalt not reap. Tlx)u shalt press the olive,
but shalt not anoint thyself with oiL You shall make wine, but
shall iK)t drink it. And the ritual services of my people shall
16 be utterly destroyed. As thou hast kept the statutes of Zam-
bri, and all the works of the house of Achab; and you have
walked in their ways-, tliat I might deliver thee up to desola-
Ch. VIL MICAH.
tion, and the inhabitants of this city to hissing; therefore you
shall bear the reproaches of peoples.
VII. (p) Woe is me! for I am like one picking up stalks in
harvest, and like one gathering a gleaning at the vintage? Not
2 a bunch of the first fruits is left for me to eat. Ah woe is my
life, that the pious is perished from the land, and among men
there is not an upright man left!
(J) They are all indicted for capital crimes : they griev-
3 ously afflict every man his neighbour : they are preparing their
hands for evil. The chief asketh and the judge hath spoken
Λvords of peace ! He is entirely at his devotion; therefore I will
4 take away their good things, like a consuming moth advanc-
ing regularly in the day of visitation.
5 (p) Alas ! alas ! thy punishments are come; now will their
lamentations be — " Trust not in friends, nor confide in rulers,
against the wife of thy bosom be on thy guard — to trust no-
6 thing to her: for a son dishonoureth a father; a daughter ΛνϋΙ
rise up against her mother; a daughter in law against her mo-
ther in law; all a man's household are his enemies."
7 (c) But as for me I will look to the Lord ; I will wait for
the God who is my saviour; he who is my God will hearken
8 to me. Rejoice not over me, Ο mine enemy, because I
have fallen. I shall rise again, for though I sit in darkness the
9 Lord will give me light. I will bear the indignation of the
Lord, because I have sinned against him; until he vindicate
my cause. He will do me justice and bring me out into light;
10 and shame shall cover her who saith, " Where is thy God?'*
Mine eyes shall see her. She shall now be trodden down like
dirt in the streets.
11 (J) The day for anointing a plinth — that day will be the
unanointing of thee, that day will indeed destroy thy ritual ser-
12 vices. And thy chies shall become plains and be distributed
among the Assyrians : even thy fortified cities shall be for dis-
tribution, from Tyre to the river and from sea to sea, and from
13 mountain to the mountain. And the land shall be for deso-
lation with them who inhabit it, for the fruits of their devices.
(c) The chorus, or Sion.
Ch. νΠ. MICAH.
14 (ρ) Feed thou thy people with thy crook — the flock of
thy heritage — them who are by themselves in a forest in the
midst of yonder Carmel.
(J) They shall feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days
15 of old. And as in the days of thy coming out of Egypt, you
16 shall see wonderful things. Nations shall see and be confound-
ed, and because of all the mighty power of these, they will
lay their hands on their mouths. Their ears will be stopped.
17 They will lick dust like serpents trailing on the ground; they
Avill be confounded in their enclosure.
18 (p) At the Lord our God let them be confounded and
struck with terror because of thee. Who is a God like unto
thee, taking away iniquities, and passing by the transgressions
of the remnant of his heritage? He hath not kept his anger
19 in remembrance ; because he delighteth in mercy ; he will
turn and have compassion on us : he will bury deep our ini-
quities ; they shall be whelmed in the depths of the sea. All
our sins he will give up for truth to Jacob, as an act of mercy
to Abraham as he sware to our fathers, according to the days
which have been heretofore.
NAHUM.
The sentence on JVinive.
I. The book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkosite,
1 God is zealous. The Lord is about to take vengeance :
2 the Lord is about to take vengeance with wrath : the Lord
is about to take vengeance on his adversaries, and to destroy
utterly his enemies, himself.
3 (a) The Lord is slow to anger, though his power is great;
Λνϋΐ not the Lord then acquit the innocent? Is his way in de-
struction and Λvhirlwind, when clouds are the dust of his feet?
4 When he rebuketh the sea he maketh it dry, and drieth up all
the rivers. Bashan and Carmel are diminished and the bloom
(a) An objection, (b) The answer.
Ch. 11. NAHUM.
5 of Libanus languisheth. At him the mountams quake and the
hills tremble : at his presence the earth is startled — the world
6 and all its inhabitants. At the presence of his wrath who can
stand, or who can resist his fierce indi^^nation ? His wrath
dissolveth governments, and by him the rocks are rent to
pieces. —
7 (b) The Lord is kind to them who wait for him in a
day of distress : and he knoweth them who reverence him.
8 AVhen Avith a deluging march he maketh destruction ; them
who raise themselves up and are his enemies, darkness shall
pursue.
9 What are you devising against the Lord ? He will make
complete destruction, and not punish twice by distress for
10 the same thing. Because one shall be utterly destroyed, and
11 consumed like bindweed and dry stubble ; shall a reasoning
against the Lord proceed fr^m thee, Ο wicked city, devising
12 things in opposition ? Thus saith the Lord, With respect to
the ruler of many waters, 1 they shall be so dispersed, that
13 what thou hearcst shall be heard no more. I will now break
14 his sceptre from thee, and burst the bands asunder. Concern-
ing thee the Lord will command, let none of thy name be
sown any more. From the house of thy God I Avill root out
the graven and molten images ; " I will make it a sepulchre
for thee."
15 (p) Because yonder on the mountain are the swift feet of
one bringing good news — even of one announcing peace ;
Ο Juda, solemnize thy festivals; pay thy vows; for they shall
no more proceed to pass through thee for conflict. It is com-
pletely laid waste, entirely removed.
ll. Into thy presence came up panting one who is delivered
from affliction. Watch the way; strengthen thy loins; act man-
2 fully with all thy might, since the Lord hath averted contume-
ly from Jacob, as he did reproach from Israel, since emptiers
have emptied them out and destroyed their branches — the in-
struments of their tyranny from among men — their mighty men
3 insulting with fire. In the day of his preparation the reins of their
chariots, and the horsemen will be disordered in their ranks ;
4 and the chariots will justle together and be entangled with one .
another in the streets. The appearance of them is like flaming
Ch. ΠΙ. NAHUM.
5 torches and like streamy lightning. Their grandees will recol-
lect and flee by day ; but they shall be weak in their march.
While they shall be hasting to her walls, and preparing their
6 out guards ; the gates of the cities are opened, and the pala-
7 ces are fallen. And the empress herself is exposed to view ;
even she herself is gone up, and her maids are led along coo-
8 ing plaintively like doves, in their hearts. As for Ninive, her
waters are like a standing pool. They who fled away made
9 no halt, nor was there one who looked back. They plundered
the silver; they plundered the gold ; but of her furniture there
was no end ; every one is loaded with her precious utensils.
10 What quaking and driving ! what groans and heart breakingi
what feebleness of knees and pangs in every loin ! what black-
11 ness, like that of a pot, on the countenance of all ! where is the
habitation of the lions, and the feeding places of the young
lions ? Where had the old lions gone, that a young lion en-
12 tered and there was none to scare him ? The old lion had seiz-
ed enough for his whelps, and had strangled for his lionesses,
and had filled his hole with prey, and his den with ravin :
13 behold I am against thee saiththe Lord Almighty, and I will
burn out thy multitude with smoke ; and a sword shall devour
thy lions : and I will cut off" thy prey from the earth ; and of
thy deeds nothing more shall be heard.
III. Ο bloody city, wholly perfidious and full of lies ! shall
2 not thy prey be handled ? A sound of whips ! and the sound
of the rumbling of wheels, and of the pursuing horse ! and
3 bounding chariot ! and of the cavalry advancing ! and of the
glittering sword and gleamy arms ! and of the multitude of
wounded ! and of the hideous crash ! Though there was no
bound to her nations, they shall be weak of body by reason
of great fornication.
4 Ο fair harlot and bewitching mistress of sorceries, wi^o
sellest nations by thy whoredom, and peoples by thy sorce-
5 ries ! behold I am against thee, saith the Lord God Almighty,
and I will expose thy skirts to \'it\v ; and shew nations ίΐυ,
6 shame ; and kingdoms, thy dishonour : and cast abomination
on thee according to thine impurities ; and make thee a pub-
lick example, so that every one who seelh thee shall go down
from thee, and say, Wretched Ninive! who can bemoan her?
Whence can I find comfort for her ?
Ch. 111. NAHUM.
8 Prepare a funeral cake ! attune the lyre ! prepare the funeral
cakeof Ammon! she dwelt among rivers; water was around her.
9 The sea was her dominions, and water, her walls, and Ethiopia
and Egypt, her strength ; and the end of her flight was not stop-
10 ped and the Lybians were her auxiliaries. Yet she is to go cap-
tive into banishment ; and her infants shall be dashed to the
ground at the head of all the streets ; and for all her splendid
treasures lots shall be cast; and all her grandees shall be bound
11 with fetters. And as for thee thou shalt be made drunk and be
despised, and shalt seek for thyself a resting place from ene-
12 mies. All thy fortresses are like figs which have watchers ;
13 when shaken they will fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold
thy people in thee are like women ; the gates of thy land shall
be opened wide to thine enemies ; a fire shall utterly devour
14 thy bars. Draw thee water for a siege, and fortify thy bul-
warks. Go down into the clay, and let him be trampled with
15 straw. Make it harder than any brick. There a fire shall de-
vour thee ; a sword shall cut thee off. Like a locust it will
devour thee ; and like a bronchus locust thou shalt be afflicted.
16 Thou hast multiplied thy merchandise, above the stars of hea-
17 ven ; the bronchus came rushing on, and is flown. Thy mer-
chandise is swept away like the attelebos locust — like the
small locust mounted on a hedge, in a cold day : the sun broke
out and they are swept away, and their place is not known.
18 Alas for them ! thy shepherds slumbered ; an Assyrian king
lulled to sleep thy mighty men : thy people fled to the moun-
19 tains and there was none to rally them. There is no cure for
thy bruise. Thy wound is festered. All that hear the news of
thee will clap their hands at thee. For upon whom hath not
thy wickedness come continually ?
AMBAKUM OR HABAKKUK.
The vision which Anibakum the prophet saw.
2 (p) How long, Ο Lord shall 1 cry, and thou not hearken?
How long shall 1 being injured cry to thee, and thou not save?
3 Why hast thou pointed out to me to behold labours and sor-
Ch. II. HABAKKUK.
rows, misery and impiety ? A suit is instituted against me
and the judge receiveth [bribes] therefore law is disregarded
4 and the cause is not brought to an issue. Because a wicked
man oppresseth the just, therefore wrong judgment will be
given.
5 (J) See ye despiscrs ! and view intently and be amazed
at wonderful things and vanish. For in your days I am doing
a work which you will not believe though one tell you,
6 For lo ! I am raising up the Chaldeans that bitter and hasty na-
tion, which marcheth over the breadth of the earth, to possess
7 dwellings which belong not to them. He is terrible and illus-
trious; his judgment will be from himself, and from himself
8 his prophesy will proceed. His ho